Absence of door-to-door cab service at Foxconn puts women employees at risk

Bengaluru

Despite repeated demands for door-to-door pick-up and drop facilities for women employees at Foxconn, the company’s Human Resources (HR) department has failed to address the issue, raising serious concerns over women’s safety.

In a city like Bengaluru, where women’s safety remains a persistent concern, it is incumbent upon companies employing a large female workforce to ensure secure commuting arrangements, an employee of Foxconn said. This iPhone manufacturing unit is located in Doddaballapura near Devanahalli on the outskirts of the city.

Speaking to blrpost.com, the employee alleged that the HR department has either wilfully or negligently ignored the demand for door-to-door cab services. “If any untoward incident occurs, the management cannot absolve itself of responsibility. Several women workers are anxious about their safety as they are forced to walk alone to their homes or paying guest accommodations after being dropped at common points,” the employee said.

The worker added that while Foxconn enjoys an otherwise strong reputation in the industry, the HR department appears to be falling short of those standards.

The company has also recently faced criticism over its hiring practices. Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (KRV), led by Praveen Shetty, had accused Foxconn of failing to prioritise employment for Kannadigas. The organisation has alleged that the HR and other key departments are dominated by Tamil-speaking personnel who allegedly favour workers and vendors from Tamil Nadu. KRV has already staged a protest outside the factory and has announced plans for further demonstrations.

Shetty, who has been at the forefront of the protests, told this news website that companies established in Tamil Nadu routinely prioritise local employment, a practice he claimed is not being followed by firms operating in Bengaluru. “What is even more alarming is that, in an apparent attempt to cut costs and appease higher management, Foxconn is denying women employees the safety of door-to-door cab services,” he said.

Shetty further claimed that several transport operators in Karnataka are equipped to provide comprehensive, door-to-door services but are being overlooked as Foxconn insists on limited arrangements. This, he alleged, has led to the engagement of vendors who merely comply with HR directives rather than prioritising safety norms.

Calling for immediate corrective measures, Shetty said the company’s top management must intervene and rein in the HR department. “Compromising women’s safety not only tarnishes Foxconn’s reputation but also reflects poorly on Bengaluru as a workplace for women,” he said.