NHRC orders fresh probe against Foxconn as it finds hiring malpractices in Tamil Nadu unit

https://www.firstpost.com/india/nhrc-orders-fresh-probe-against-foxconn-as-it-finds-hiring-malpractices-in-tamil-nadu-unit-13855577.html

India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) criticized Central and Tamil Nadu Labour officials for failing to adequately investigate allegations of employment discrimination at Foxconn’s iPhone plant. A Reuters report revealed that Foxconn excluded married women from assembly line jobs, relaxing this policy only during peak production. Labour officials visited the plant in July and reported that 6.7% of the 33,360 women employed were married, claiming no discrimination occurred. However, the NHRC stated their investigation lacked scrutiny of hiring records and dismissed the core issue of recruitment bias. Officials relied on testimony from current employees rather than examining evidence of discriminatory hiring practices. Foxconn and Apple did not respond to inquiries, though Foxconn had instructed recruiters to remove discriminatory criteria from job advertisements. The NHRC directed a more thorough investigation, citing the Equal Remuneration Act, which prohibits gender-based hiring discrimination. The case remains under review.