The Ministry of Labour and Employment on Wednesday took cognizance of media reports that married women are not being allowed to work at the Foxconn India Apple iPhone Plant and sought a detailed report from the Tamil Nadu Labour Department.
The Labour Ministry said in a statement that Section 5 of the Equal Remuneration Act 1976 clearly stipulates that no discrimination is to be made while recruiting men and women workers.
As the state government is the appropriate authority for the enforcement and administration of the provisions of this Act, the report has been sought from it, it stated.
The office of Regional Chief Labour Commissioner has also been directed to furnish the report to the Ministry of Labour & Employment, Government of India, the statement read.
The Labour and Employment Ministry takes note of media reports on married women not being allowed to work at Foxconn India Apple iPhone Plant in Tamil Nadu, it added.
No response from Foxconn, Tamil Nadu govt
Apple Inc and Foxconn did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the government statement. The Tamil Nadu state government did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment outside office hours.
Earlier, a news agency's - Reuters - investigation published on Tuesday found that Foxconn has systematically excluded married women from jobs at its main India iPhone plant near Chennai in Tamil Nadu state, on the grounds they have more family responsibilities than their unmarried counterparts.
Foxconn hiring agents and HR sources interviewed by Reuters cited family duties, pregnancy and higher absenteeism as reasons why Foxconn did not hire married women at the plant.
(With agencies inputs)
