Tuesday 8 April 2025
Foxconn Overhauls Hiring, Bans Gender & Age Bias in India
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Apple supplier Foxconn has directed its recruitment agents in India to eliminate age, gender, and marital status requirements from job postings for iPhone assembly positions. The decision follows a Reuters investigation that revealed discriminatory hiring practices at the companys major iPhone assembly plant in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, India. The revelations have garnered significant attention and prompted Foxconn to implement immediate corrective measures.
A Reuters investigation released on June 25, 2024, uncovered that job advertisements from Foxconns Indian recruitment vendors, spanning from January 2023 to May 2024, often specified eligibility criteria based on gender, age, and marital status. Many ads were identified as discriminatory, specifying that only unmarried women of certain ages were eligible for assembly line positions. These restrictions violated Apples and Foxconns anti-discrimination policies, prohibiting bias based on personal attributes.
The investigation highlighted how these discriminatory practices not only violated basic labor rights but also contradicted inclusive values both Apple and Foxconn claim to uphold in their corporate values. For example, one of the ads restricted eligibilities to women between the ages of 18 to 23, explicitly requiring candidates to be unmarried. Such criteria were seen as discriminatory against married women and those who fell outside the specified age range.
In response to the revelations, Foxconns human resources executives acted promptly to address the issue. The company issued new standardized requirement templates to its vendors in India, explicitly instructing them to eliminate references to age, gender, marital status, and the companys name from job advertisements.
During a meeting held in late June 2024, Foxconn informed its vendors that continued use of its name in discriminatory advertisements could result in contract termination. The new recruitment ads now focus on job benefits, including an air-conditioned workplace, free transportation, canteen facilities, free hostel accommodations, and a starting monthly salary of IN 14,974 (approximately $180).
By highlighting these benefits, Foxconn aims to attract a more diverse pool of candidates and improve its hiring practices. The initiative is designed to promote fairness and ensure compliance with anti-discrimination laws.
Foxconns Chairperson, Young Liu publicly acknowledged the contributions of married women within the company during his visit to India in August 2024. Liu met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss the companys investment plans in India. He further highlighted the importance of promoting inclusive hiring practices. Lius remarks were interpreted as an acknowledgment of the vital role women, particularly married women have in the companys achievements.
The controversy over Foxconns alleged discriminatory hiring practices has drawn significant attention from both federal and state authorities in India. Labor officials visited Foxconns Sriperumbudur facility in July 2024 to investigate the allegations. Nevertheless, the results of these investigations have not yet been made public.
Foxconns recent initiatives to eliminate discriminatory practices from its recruitment process are seen as a positive step toward creating a more inclusive and equitable workplace. The companys commitment to anti-discrimination policies, along with its decision to focus on skills-based recruitment.
It also reflects a desire to build a workforce that values diversity and inclusivity. These changes not only align with global standards but also set a benchmark for other companies in India and beyond.
By eliminating unfair hiring criteria, Foxconn is moving toward a more inclusive recruitment process. This approach will enhance workforce diversity and attract talent from a broader array of candidates, bolstering its operations in India.
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