Foxconn CEO Addresses Hiring Practices After Report Claims Discrimination Against Married Women in India
Foxconn’s main iPhone factory in India employs over 33,000 women, despite recent claims of discriminatory hiring practices.
Foxconn’s chairman, Young Liu, defended the company’s hiring practices in response to recent scrutiny from New Delhi. The defense follows a Reuters report alleging that Foxconn, a major Apple supplier, has been rejecting married women for iPhone assembly positions. The report prompted Indian authorities to launch an investigation into the company’s employment policies.
During the opening ceremony of a new hostel complex for Foxconn workers near Chennai, Liu addressed the controversy directly. He emphasized that Foxconn hires employees regardless of gender, pointing out that women make up a substantial portion of the workforce at their main iPhone factory in India. According to Liu, the company is committed to inclusivity and recognizes the valuable contributions of all its employees, including married women.
The report in question suggested that Foxconn had been selectively hiring, with a particular focus on unmarried women for its assembly lines. This claim has led to concerns about discriminatory practices and prompted labor officials in India to seek further clarification from the company.
In response to these allegations, Liu stated that Foxconn values the input of married women and believes they play an integral role in the company’s operations. His comments were intended to reassure stakeholders and address any misconceptions arising from the report.
Foxconn has previously informed labor officials that its primary iPhone factory in India employs over 41,000 people, with more than 33,000 of them being women. The company’s statement seeks to underline its commitment to gender diversity and refute claims of discriminatory hiring practices.
As the investigation continues, Foxconn aims to clarify its policies and practices to ensure transparency and compliance with local labor regulations. The company remains focused on maintaining its reputation as a responsible employer while addressing any concerns raised by the recent report.
