Foxconn’s chairman on Saturday defended its hiring practices after New Delhi ordered investigations following a Reuters report that the Apple provider rejects married ladies for iPhone meeting jobs.
“Foxconn hires throughout gender strains, however ladies make up a big portion of our workforce right here,” Younger Liu mentioned on the opening ceremony of a hostel advanced for her staff close to Chennai within the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu.
“I need to stress that married ladies contribute enormously to the efforts we’re making right here,” she added, making her first feedback because the Reuters investigation.
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Liu didn’t reply to media queries on the hostel advanced, which the state authorities says is “solely” for 18,720 feminine Foxconn staff. The multi-story buildings of the hostel are positioned close to the iPhone manufacturing plant.
A Reuters investigation revealed in June discovered that Foxconn systematically excluded married ladies from jobs at its principal iPhone meeting plant in India, arguing that they’ve extra household tasks than their single counterparts.
Foxconn acknowledged some shortcomings in hiring practices in 2022 and mentioned it had labored to handle the problems, however added that it “strongly refutes allegations of employment discrimination.”
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The story sparked debates on tv and newspaper editorials. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s federal authorities ordered Tamil Nadu to submit a “detailed report” on the matter, and its labour officers additionally visited the iPhone manufacturing facility to query executives. New Delhi has but to launch any findings.
Foxconn informed labor officers that its principal iPhone manufacturing facility in India employs 41,281 individuals, together with 33,360 ladies. Of those ladies, about 2,750, or about 8 %, had been married.
It didn’t break down staffing figures in particular areas, equivalent to iPhone meeting, the place Reuters reported discrimination was going down.
In recent times, Foxconn has expanded in India, the place it makes iPhones and merchandise for different smartphone manufacturers, and has plans to maneuver into AirPods and chipmaking.
Liu met with Modi and plenty of senior Indian officers throughout his present go to, and mentioned Foxconn’s funding plans.
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