National Human Rights Commission office at Faridkot House in New Delhi. File.
| Photo Credit: V. Sudershan

The NHRC on July 1 said it has issued notices to the Union Labour Ministry and the Tamil Nadu government over reports that a major manufacturer of electronic devices has allegedly “systematically excluded” married women from jobs at its assembly plant in Sriperumbudur.

Issuing the notices, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has noted the fact that gender equality is not only required in the Indian Constitution but the international treaty and covenants, viz., International Covenant Civil and Political Rights, and the International Covenant of Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights also provide non-discrimination on the ground of gender in any form of employment.

The NHRC has taken “suo motu cognisance of media reports that Foxconn, a major manufacturer of Apple devices has systematically excluded married women from job at its iPhone assembly plant in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu”, it said.

It is alleged by a former HR executive at Foxconn that “verbal directions” have been given to the Indian hiring agencies by the company in this regard. It is also stated that the company “does not hire married women because of cultural issues and societal pressure”, the statement said, citing reports.

Sources recently said Apple iPhone maker Foxconn has informed the government that 25% of its new hires are married women and its safety protocol, which requires all employees to avoid wearing metal irrespective of gender or religion, is not discriminatory.

In an informal note shared with the government after reports had suggested that it was not hiring married women, Foxconn had stated that such stipulations are not part of its policy and these claims may have been made by those individuals who were not hired, the sources earlier said.

The Commission in its statement has observed that the content of the media reports, if true, raise a serious issue of discrimination against married women causing the violation of the right to equality and equal opportunity.

Therefore, the Commission has issued notices to the Secretary, Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, and the chief Secretary, government of Tamil Nadu, seeking a detailed report within one week, the statement said.

It is the obligation of the state authorities to ensure that all companies follow the norms and regulations relating to labour laws and the right to health and dignity to any individual, including women, who are working in the supply chain of any production unit of the private sector, the statement said.

As per media reports carried on June 26, a number of job seekers in the company were spoken to during the period January 2023 to May 2024 and the candidate information pamphlet of the company was examined, it said.

“It was revealed that only unmarried women were eligible for assembly job while there was no mention in this regard in the advertisements made by the company. A WhatsApp chat between a married candidate and the hiring agency of the company was also quoted in the news report stating that when the candidate asked about the salary and childcare facility offered by the company, the response was ‘married not allowed’. The company, reportedly, refuted the allegations of discrimination in employment based on marital status, gender, religion or any other form,” the statement said.

New Delhi:

Violence adversely impacts free and fair polls and the State must “ensure violence-free elections” so that citizens enjoy their fundamental democratic rights, NHRC chairperson Justice (retired) Arun Kumar Mishra said on Thursday.

In his address at an event held here to mark the 30th anniversary of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), he also appealed to authorities to provide Aadhaar cards to beggars, transgenders, sex workers, orphans and trafficked minors in “mission mode”.

The NHRC Foundation Day function was attended by former president Ram Nath Kovind as the chief guest.

Addressing the event, Mr Mishra said, “Our Constitution guarantees a range of fundamental rights, which reflect the principle of right to life with equality, justice, freedom, and dignity that are at the core of human rights.” He also said that the NHRC is to provide support to those who have none.

“Our Constitution aims for justice for all. Equality cannot be achieved without an independent and impartial judiciary. The separation of power under Article 50 of the Constitution of India ensures the same,” Justice (retired) Mishra said.

The rights panel chief said human rights include the right to vote and participate in elections to elect the government.

“Violence adversely impacts free and fair elections. The State must ensure violence-free elections so that citizens enjoy fundamental democratic rights,” he added.

He lamented that the “falling standard of media debates” is a cause for concern.

“The responsibility of all concerned is to ensure that their imprint on the younger generation is not uncivil debate and dialogue,” he said.

In his address, he also said that corruption compromises the fundamental dignity of humans.

“The evil of corruption destroys our souls…. This is unacceptable in any civilised society. We must unite to root out this menace with iron hands, which is an impediment to development,” he said.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Rollout of rover of ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 from the lander to the lunar surface, as observed by Lander Imager Camera. File.
| Photo Credit: PTI

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