NHRC Calls For Fresh Probe Into Alleged Discriminatory Hiring At Foxconn Plant

The National Human Right Commission (NHRC) has reportedly slammed labour officials for failing to adequately investigate reports of alleged employment discrimination at Foxconn plant.

The human rights body has asked the authorities to re-examine the matter , Reuters reported.

The story goes back to last year, when Foxconn was alleged of following discriminatory hiring practices and excluding married women from jobs at its iPhone assembly facility in Tamil Nadu’s Sriperumbudur. 

After that, a five-member team from the regional labour department visited Foxconn’s factory and spoke to company directors and executives from the human resources department.

Back then, the regional labour commissioner cited Foxconn and said that the Chennai factory employs a total of 41,281 workers, including 33,360 women. Among these women, approximately 2,750, or about 8%, are married, according to the information provided by Foxconn.

In August, Foxconn chairman Young Liu said that the company hires employees regardless of gender. 

Later in November 2024, the company instructed its recruitment agents in the country to remove age, gender, marital status criteria and the company’s name from job advertisements for iPhone assembly positions.

While the controversy ignited the debate of gender discrimination at the workplace, Foxconn continued to move ahead with its developments in the country.

Last year, Foxconn’s Singapore arm bought 1.203 Bn ordinary shares from its Indian unit for around $144 Mn.

Additionally, the manufacturing giant is also in discussions with the Tamil Nadu government to expand its battery manufacturing business in India. Additionally, the company is gearing up to  start making iPhone 16 Pro Series at its Tamil Nadu.

During his visit to India last year, Liu said that the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer has invested $10 Bn in India so far and has plans to infuse more capital in the country in the coming year. 

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