New Delhi: Ministry of Labour and Employment has said that it has taken note of various media reports claiming that married women are not being allowed to work at Foxconn India Apple iPhone plant.
Reports had surfaced yesterday that Foxconn which is a major supplier for Apple has been refusing to let married women work at its main iPhone assembly plant in India. An investigative report by Reuters had said that two married woman were turned away from jobs at an iPhone factory in Tamil Nadu.
Foxconn executives have verbally instructed Indian hiring agencies to exclude married women, on the grounds that they have family responsibilities owing to which their productivity will not be optimum. Some hiring agencies have even helped female candidates hide their marital status to secure jobs, stated the report.
Decision Taken By Govt After Media Reports On Barring Women From Working At Foxconn
In light of these reports, the Ministry has requested a detailed report from the Labour Department of the Tamil Nadu Government. Section 5 of the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 clearly stipulates that no discrimination to be made while recruiting men and women workers. As the State Government is the appropriate authority for the enforcement and administration of the provisions of this Act, hence the report has been sought from the State Government. At the same time, the office of Regional Chief Labour Commissioner has also been directed to furnish the factual report to the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India.
