No bias against married women in recruitment practices at Foxconn, says report

A report submitted by the Regional Labour Commissioner Chennai stated that no evidence has been found showing discrimination against married women in employment and recruitment practices at the Foxconn iPhone factory in Chennai after media reports carried on June 26 revealed that only unmarried women were eligible for assembly jobs while there was no mention in this regard in the advertisements made by the companyThe action prompted by allegations of discriminatory practices involved detailed interviews and examination of recordsNotably the media reports also mentioned a WhatsApp conversation between a married candidate and the hiring agency of the company When the candidate asked about the salary and childcare facility offered by the company the response was married not allowed The company reportedly refuted the allegations of discrimination in employment based on marital status gender religion or any other form the National Human Rights Commission NHRC saidThe team which visited the plant recently conducted thorough interrogations of 21 married female employees All the employees confirmed that they are not facing any form of discrimination concerning wages and promotionsThey also stated that they are getting maternity benefits and all other welfare amenities as per the Labour laws prevailing in the State of Tamil Nadu They also expressed their satisfaction with the working conditions prevailing in the establishmentIn discussions with Foxconns management it was revealed that 2520 married women are currently employed at the Chennai facility The management reiterated their adherence to all relevant labour laws including the Equal Remuneration Act and the Maternity Benefit ActThey assured the investigating team that no discriminatory practices are employed during recruitment employment or promotion processes The management also expressed their commitment to social welfare legislation and stated their unawareness of the source of the allegationsAfter reviewing the submissions records and statements from married female employees the report concluded that there is no evidence supporting claims of discrimination against married women in the recruitment and employment processes at the Foxconn Chennai iPhone factoryThe NHRC on July 1 took suo motu cognizance of media reports that Foxconn a major manufacturer of Apple devices has systematically excluded married women from jobs at its iPhone assembly plant in Sriperumbudur Tamil NaduIt was 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 also stated that the company does not hire married women because of cultural issues and societal pressureIn a press release by the NHRC the Commission 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 opportunityTherefore the Commission issued notices to the Secretary Union Ministry of Labour and Employment and the Chief Secretary Government of Tamil Nadu calling for a detailed report on the matter within one weekThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever