NHRC Takes Suo Motu Cognizance Of Alleged Hiring Discrimination At Foxconn

Taking a suo motu cognizance over alleged discrimination by Foxconn which reportedly excluded married women from jobs at its Tamil Nadu plant, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued notices to the central labour ministry and the state government, seeking a detailed report in the case.

“NHRC observes that the matter, if true, raises a serious issue of discrimination against married women causing the violation of the right to equality and equal opportunity,” the commission said in a statement. 

‘Suo motu cognizance’ allows a government entity to take notice of a matter without receiving a formal petition or complaint. 

The NHRC has taken the contents of the media reports, which were published on June 26, as its base for undertaking the action. 

Finding the reported incidents to be a severe lapse in the observation of right to equality and equal opportunity, the commission has issued notices to the Labour Ministry’s secretary and Tamil Nadu’s government’s chief secretary, calling for a detailed report in the matter within July 7.

At the heart of the matter is a Reuters’ report which alleged that the Apple’s India vendor was excluding married women from jobs at its plant on the grounds that they have more family responsibilities compared to unmarried counterparts. 

However, the Taiwanese electronics manufacturer has refuted the allegations of any discriminatory hiring practices, cognizance of which has also been taken by the commission. 

On June 26, the Labour Ministry also wrote to the state government, seeking a detailed report on the matter. The ministry said that the allegations, if true, would be a clear violation of the Section 5 of the Equal Remuneration Act, 1976. The provision stipulates no discrimination in recruitment on the basis of gender. 

The matter has picked up steam since the report, even reaching the parliament. On June 29, Reuters reported that the Indian National Congress also urged the central government to question Foxconn about its hiring practices. Member of Parliament (MP) Karti P Chidambaram wrote a letter to the labour minister DR Mansukh Mandaviya urging the ministry to take steep action against the Apple supplier. 

“While foreign investment is crucial, it should not come at the cost of disregarding our cultural values,” his letter, which was posted on X, read.