NEW DELHI: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken suo motu cognisance of reported discrimination by Foxconn, a major manufacturer of Apple devices, for allegedly “systematically excluding” married women from jobs at its iPhone assembly plant in Sriperumbudur in Tamil Nadu. The commission has issued notices to the Union ministry of labour and employment and Tamil Nadu govt calling for a report within one week.
According to an NHRC statement, it is alleged by a former HR executive at Foxconn, India that verbal directions have been given to the Indian hiring agencies by the company in this regard.It is also stated that the company does not hire married women because of cultural issues and societal pressure.
The commission has observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, raise a serious issue of discrimination against married women causing the violation of the right to equality and equal opportunity. “It is the obligation of the state authorities to ensure that all companies follow the norms and regulations relating to labour laws and the right to health and dignity to any individual, including women, who are working in the supply chain of any production unit of the private sector,” NHRC said.
“It was revealed that only unmarried women were eligible for assembly job while there was no mention in this regard in the advertisements made by the company. A WhatsApp chat between a married candidate and the hiring agency of the company was also quoted in the news report stating that when the candidate asked about the salary and childcare facility offered by the company, the response was ‘married not allowed’,” the commission states citing the reports. The company, reportedly, refuted the allegations of discrimination in employment based on marital status, gender, religion or any other form.
According to an NHRC statement, it is alleged by a former HR executive at Foxconn, India that verbal directions have been given to the Indian hiring agencies by the company in this regard.It is also stated that the company does not hire married women because of cultural issues and societal pressure.
The commission has observed that the contents of the media reports, if true, raise a serious issue of discrimination against married women causing the violation of the right to equality and equal opportunity. “It is the obligation of the state authorities to ensure that all companies follow the norms and regulations relating to labour laws and the right to health and dignity to any individual, including women, who are working in the supply chain of any production unit of the private sector,” NHRC said.
“It was revealed that only unmarried women were eligible for assembly job while there was no mention in this regard in the advertisements made by the company. A WhatsApp chat between a married candidate and the hiring agency of the company was also quoted in the news report stating that when the candidate asked about the salary and childcare facility offered by the company, the response was ‘married not allowed’,” the commission states citing the reports. The company, reportedly, refuted the allegations of discrimination in employment based on marital status, gender, religion or any other form.
