Foxconn, a major Apple supplier, has been refusing to hire married women for assembly jobs at its main smartphone plant in India, according to a Reuters investigation.
This practice violates both the company’s and Apple’s conduct codes by discriminating based on marital status.
The investigation, published on Tuesday, found that Foxconn rejects applications from married women, citing “greater family responsibilities” and “more issues post-marriage” as reasons. This policy is enforced at its primary iPhone assembly plant in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai.
Former and current employees from several Foxconn hiring agencies confirmed this discrimination to Reuters, mentioning family duties, pregnancy, and absenteeism as reasons given by Foxconn HR. The jewelry worn by married Hindu women was also cited as a potential production issue.
However, the policy is not absolute. Three former Foxconn HR executives revealed that the company sometimes relaxes this rule during high-production periods when labor is in short supply. Additionally, hiring agencies have occasionally helped female candidates hide their marital status to secure jobs.