Foxconn, the iPhone contract manufacturer, is encouraging its women employees in India to take up leadership roles in design and other technology-related fields, according to a senior company official. The company currently employs 48,000 people across India, with 25% of its recent hires being married women. We want women to move beyond assembly work and into design and technology roles. Many of our current employees are highly educated, and we aim to offer them opportunities to advance into higher positions, Foxconn Chairman Young Liu told PTI. In Foxconn's Indian operations, the workforce comprises approximately 70% women and 30% men. The company recently inaugurated a women-only residential complex in Sriperumbudur, near Chennai, built by the State Industries Promotion Corporation of Tamil Nadu (SIPCOT). The facility can accommodate over 18,000 women employees working at Foxconn. Liu emphasised that Foxconn's hiring in India is on the rise across all categories, with the company employing individuals regardless of gender. Foxconn is also establishing its second-largest mobile manufacturing plant outside China in Karnataka, with an investment of Rs 250 billion, which is expected to create 40,000 jobs. Recently, the company invested an additional Rs 12 billion in its Karnataka unit, bringing its total investment to around Rs 138 billion in Foxconn Hon Hai Technology India Mega Development Pvt Ltd. Last week, Liu mentioned that Foxconn is in discussions with the Tamil Nadu government to establish a battery energy storage system unit focused on electric vehicles. Additionally, the company has formed a joint venture to build a semiconductor plant in India and is gearing up to start electric vehicle production in the country. Liu also noted that Foxconn's information and communication technology segment has recently launched in India, stating, We are looking forward to implementing our 3+3 future industry strategy in India. Under the 3+3 strategy, Foxconn is focused on expanding its business in three key industries: electric vehicles, digital health, and robotics. (ET)