Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s administration has directed the state of Tamil Nadu to submit a comprehensive report following revelations from a recent Reuters investigation. The inquiry centers on allegations that Foxconn, a major Apple supplier, systematically excluded married women from employment opportunities at its iPhone assembly plant near Chennai.
Citing the Equal Remuneration Act of 1976, which prohibits discrimination in employment based on gender, the Ministry of Labour and Employment emphasized the need for transparency in hiring practices. It has formally requested detailed documentation from Tamil Nadu’s Labour Department and tasked the Regional Chief Labour Commissioner’s office with providing factual insights into the matter.
The controversy arose after Reuters reported that Foxconn recruiters and human resources sources justified their actions by pointing to perceived challenges such as family responsibilities and higher absenteeism among married women. This purported practice, uncovered at the Sriperumbudur plant, appears to contradict Apple’s and Foxconn’s own policies against discrimination within their supply chains.
While Apple and Foxconn have acknowledged previous issues with hiring practices in 2022 and claimed corrective measures, the reported discriminatory incidents occurred between 2023 and 2024, as documented by Reuters’ investigation. Both companies have yet to respond directly to the specific allegations raised in the recent government statement.
Legal experts highlighted that while Indian law does not explicitly prohibit discrimination based on marital status in hiring, international standards and corporate policies upheld by Apple and Foxconn strictly oppose such practices.
As the inquiry unfolds, stakeholders await further developments from Tamil Nadu’s Labour Department and potential responses from Apple and Foxconn regarding the alleged discriminatory practices at their Indian facilities.
