India human rights body says Reuters story on Foxconn hiring raises discrimination concerns

NEW DELHI — India's human rights watchdog said on Monday (July 1) it had asked government officials to examine reported discrimination by Foxconn, after a Reuters investigation found the major Apple supplier has been rejecting married women from iPhone assembly jobs in the country.

In a statement, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) said it had issued notices to the secretary of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's labour ministry and the chief secretary of the state government of Tamil Nadu, site of a major iPhone factory, calling for a detailed report within a week.

"NHRC observes that the matter, if true, raises a serious issue of discrimination against married women causing the violation of the right to equality and equal opportunity," it said.

The Reuters story has sparked debates on TV channels, newspaper editorials, calls from women groups, including within Modi's party as well as opposition parties to investigate the matter. Modi's federal government has also asked Tamil Nadu state for a "detailed report".

Modi's labour ministry, Apple and Taiwan-based Foxconn did not immediately respond to requests for comment. A Tamil Nadu government spokesman referred questions to its labour department, which did not respond.

The Reuters investigation found Foxconn systematically excluded married women from jobs at its main India iPhone plant on the grounds they have more family responsibilities than their unmarried counterparts. Foxconn hiring agents and HR sources cited family duties, pregnancy and higher absenteeism as reasons for not hiring married women.

Responding to the investigation, published last week, Apple and Foxconn acknowledged lapses in hiring practises in 2022 and said they had worked to address the issues.