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Labour officials visited Foxconn’s factory in India to investigate reports of discrimination against married women.
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The officials spoke to company directors and HR officials, and asked for documents related to company policies and labour laws.
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The investigation found that out of 33,360 women employed at the factory, 2,750 (around 8%) are married, and 40 married women interviewed raised no concerns about discrimination.
Labour officials in India have launched an investigation into Apple supplier Foxconn’s factory over reports that it has been discriminating against married women. A team of officials visited the factory near Chennai and spoke to company directors and HR officials to gather more information.
The investigation was prompted by a report that revealed Foxconn’s practice of excluding married women from iPhone assembly jobs. The company allegedly cited reasons such as family responsibilities and higher absenteeism. Labour officials have asked Foxconn to submit documents related to its company policies, recruitment policies, and compliance with labour laws.
While the investigation is ongoing, labour officials have reported that out of the 41,281 employees at the factory, 33,360 are women, and 2,750 of them are married. Interestingly, 40 married women interviewed by labour inspectors did not raise any concerns about discrimination. The investigation is a significant step towards ensuring that companies comply with labour laws and do not discriminate against any individual based on their marital status.
