Apple Contract Manufacturer Foxconn in Problem due to its Hiring Methods, Labor Department Investigating Matter

American devices maker Apple’s major contract manufacturer Foxconn has been accused of not providing jobs to married women in the country. The Labor Department has started its investigation. Officials have visited Foxconn’s factory near Chennai in Tamil Nadu and inquired about the company’s hiring practices.

In a Reuters report it was stated that foxconn Married women are being refused jobs in the factory. Regional Labor Commissioner, A Narasaiah said that a team from the Labor Department has talked to the company’s directors and Human Resource Division executives. Foxconn did not respond to a request for comment. Apple also did not respond to questions sent by Reuters. In this matter, the Central Government had sought a detailed report from the state officials last week.

Regarding this, Narasaiah said, “We are collecting information and the company has been directed to submit the documents. The company has said that they are not discriminating.” Foxconn has told officials that there are 41,281 workers in its factory. Among these workers, 33,360 are women. About eight percent of the company’s female workers are married. It is illegal to discriminate in employment on the basis of men and women in the country.

A Reuters investigation revealed that Foxconn has refused to hire married women in its factories. In this regard, S Paul, a former Foxconn HR executive, told Reuters that Foxconn generally does not hire married women due to cultural issues and social pressure. The company believes that many problems arise after marriage. Apple and Foxconn acknowledged two years ago that their hiring practices were flawed and have worked to fix them. Last year, Foxconn got approval to invest one billion dollars in its factory in the country. With this, it will be able to create a big manufacturing hub for Apple products outside China.

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