Almost 70% of  workforce are women: nearly 25% of new hires are married women : Foxconn

Apple iPhone producer Foxconn has informed the government that 25% of its new hires are married women, and that its safety standard, which requires all employees to avoid wearing metal regardless of gender or religion, is not discriminatory, according to sources.

In an informal message shared with the government following accusations that it is not employing married women, Foxconn claimed that such conditions are not part of its policy, and that these claims may have been made by those who were not hired, according to sources.

They further said that such media coverage harms India’s rapidly expanding industrial industry. 

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labour and Employment on Wednesday requested a thorough report from the Tamil Nadu labour department on the subject of married women being denied employment at the Foxconn India Apple iPhone Plant, as reported by the media.

“Foxconn clarified that 25% of its latest hires are married women. This would suggest that approximately one-third of all women are married. “This ratio compares favourably to any factory in this sector currently operating in India,” one of the insiders stated.

The Foxconn factory presently employs approximately 70% women and 30% males, and the Tamil Nadu facility is the largest factory for female employment in the country, with total employment reaching 45,000 workers during peak seasons, they claimed.

The company has also stated that the idea of Hindu married women being discriminated against for wearing metals (ornaments and jewellery) is “entirely slanted” and that wearing metal in such companies is a safety issue, which is widely acknowledged by both the industry and the government.

“Any person wearing metals – man or woman – regardless of their status (single or married) and religion (Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Sikh, etc.) are required to remove metals while working in the factory,” the source added, quoting the company’s informal note.

For safety concerns, no one wearing metal is permitted to operate on the shop floor, which is common practice in many businesses.

According to insiders, the corporation claims that the media allegation is based on anecdotal statements from 5-10 people or potential job seekers.

These comments were most likely made by candidates who did not win the job or are no longer employed by Foxconn.

Foxconn did not respond immediately to an email inquiry about the problem.