The company systematically excludes married women from jobs at its main assembly plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu.

A Reuters probe noticed that Foxconn, a major iPhone manufacturing company in Tamil Nadu, rejects married women from manufacturing jobs. The report detailed two women named Parvathi and Janaki who are sisters came to attend an interview in March 2023. However, the security officer at the front gate didn’t allow them to enter the plant and asked them about their marital status.

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The investigation further explains the plight of married women who are supposed to find a job but deny doing it at the Foxconn company. They systematically exclude married women from jobs at its main assembly plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu. S. Paul, former human resources executive at Foxconn India said that married women have more marital encumbrance and family responsibilities which will affect the productivity of the plant.

The report further stated quoting S Paul, “Foxconn doesn’t allow married women to work there due to cultural issues and societal pressure. Risk factor increases when married women are hired.” The other agents also added their views to the report citing the family issues, pregnancy and other responsibilities of married women which lead to habitual absence from work.

Additionally, jewellery worn by married women could also affect the manufacturing procedures interfering with production. The customary ornaments are metal-based, if they come in contact with phone particles, an electrostatic discharge might occur which would lead to potential damage. Women will not remove their jewellery items due to their typical beliefs and customs. However, the report was unable to ascertain the credibility of that matter since they hadn’t received any confirmation in that regard.

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The report also showed an AD image of Foxconn which was posted on YouTube about the recruitment of employees to their plant citing “unmarried women only.” This further confirms the company has no plan to hire married candidates to their workplace.

Earlier this year several media organisations reported the piteous condition of women workers found in an isolated status and remained helpless and abandoned at this Sriperumbudur plant near Chennai City. Following that, the Reuters report shed light on the quandary, women confront especially in rural areas. The company has also faced prolonged criticism over the years for its work culture and unhygienic environment.

The Taiwanese company Foxconn is the world’s largest contract manufacturer of electronics. Though most of its mobile production was earlier in China, later it shifted its location to Tamil Nadu due to the recent agnostic relationship between the US and China.