Foxconn Removes Age, Gender, and Marital Status Criteria from Indian Recruitment Ads

Foxconn, a key Apple supplier, has instructed its recruitment agents in India to eliminate criteria based on age, gender, and marital status from job advertisements for iPhone assembly positions. The company has also prohibited the use of its name in such ads, according to a report by Reuters.

The move follows a Reuters investigation published in June, which uncovered that between January 2023 and May 2024, Foxconn’s Indian hiring vendors had placed job advertisements specifying eligibility criteria restricted to unmarried women within a particular age range. This practice violated Apple and Foxconn’s anti-discrimination policies.

New Recruitment Guidelines

Foxconn, which employs numerous women at its Sriperumbudur iPhone facility near Chennai, relies on third-party vendors for recruiting assembly-line workers. These vendors are responsible for identifying and evaluating candidates before Foxconn conducts final interviews and selections.

In response to the investigation, Foxconn’s HR executives held meetings with recruitment vendors in late June, providing them with standardized recruitment templates and instructing them to avoid media contact. Vendors were warned that using Foxconn’s name in advertisements or violating updated guidelines could result in contract termination, Reuters reported, citing sources.

The revised advertisements no longer mention demographic restrictions. Instead, they focus on job benefits, such as “air-conditioned workplace, free transport, canteen facility, and free hostel,” offering a monthly salary of ₹14,974.

Acknowledgment and Expansion Plans

During an August visit to India, Foxconn Chairperson Young Liu praised the contributions of married women to the company’s operations and discussed investment plans with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Foxconn’s efforts to address discriminatory practices highlight its commitment to aligning recruitment strategies with global standards, ensuring compliance with Apple’s anti-discrimination policies, and promoting workplace inclusivity in India.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *