Technology giant Apple has reached a settlement of 25 million dollars (23.4 million euros) with the US Department of Justice. The company was suspected of discriminating against US citizens in hiring.
According to the US Department of Justice, Apple would have favored non-Americans in recruitment. This happened through the Perm system, where companies can sponsor foreign employees so that they receive a residence permit. Apple is said to have created barriers for those who wanted to apply outside that system. For example, vacancies were not published on the technology company’s website. Application letters had to be submitted by mail, not electronically.
The ministry says the Perm system is designed to make it easier for companies to hire foreigners, but should not discriminate against nationals and people who already have a residence permit. Apple’s approach would have resulted in almost no one from that group applying for the jobs offered within the Perm system.
Apple admitted that it “unintentionally” didn’t work according to the rules. The company says the problem has now been addressed. “We also continue to hire American personnel and grow in the US,” it said. According to Apple, 90 percent of vacancies in the US are filled by American workers.
Tags: Apple reaches multimillion dollar settlement discrimination citizens
