According to a Reuters investigation, Foxconn allegedly barred married women from employment at its primary iPhone facility in India, which is located close to Chennai, on the grounds that they had more family responsibilities than single women.
According to the federal labor ministry, it is legally mandated that employers cannot discriminate against women and men when hiring new employees.
Reuters sent comments requests to both Apple and the Tamil Nadu state government, but neither provided a response.
The news has also requested a statement from Foxconn and the Tamil Nadu labor authorities.
The biggest supplier of Apple iPhones, Foxconn, established its first factory in Tamil Nadu.
The state will start producing the iPhone 15 in 2023, and earlier this year, Foxconn and Google partnered to produce Pixel smartphones in Tamil Nadu.
For the story, Reuters claimed to have spoken with a number of Foxconn employment agencies and employees.
Foxconn does not hire married women at the plant, according to hiring agencies and Foxconn HR sources, who cited pregnancy, family responsibilities, and higher absenteeism as reasons.