Foxconn, a major manufacturer of Apple devices, has been accused of discriminating against married women by excluding them from assembly jobs at its flagship smartphone plant in India, according to a Reuters investigation published recently.
The investigation revealed that Foxconn explicitly rejects job applications from married women, citing their “greater family responsibilities” compared to unmarried women.
This practice, which contravenes both company policies and corporate codes of conduct, was reportedly systematic at Foxconn’s main iPhone assembly plant in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
Former and current employees of Foxconn hiring agencies across India, speaking anonymously to Reuters, confirmed that married women were routinely denied job opportunities.
Reasons given included concerns about family duties, potential pregnancy, higher absenteeism, and even the possibility that jewelry worn by married Hindu women could interfere with production.
Despite this discriminatory policy, sources indicated that Foxconn occasionally relaxes its stance during periods of high production demand when facing labor shortages.
Additionally, some hiring agencies allegedly assisted female candidates in concealing their marital status to increase their chances of securing employment.
The revelations have sparked criticism and raised concerns about gender discrimination in the workplace, particularly within global supply chains that manufacture consumer electronics. Foxconn has yet to publicly respond to these specific allegations as of the latest reports.
