An increasing number of manufacturing companies in India are challenging traditional gender norms by actively recruiting more women for roles on the shop floor. This shift is primarily motivated by a strategic business decision to diversify the talent pool.

Major corporations like JSW Group, Aditya Birla Group, Tata Motors, RPG Group, and MG Motors India are leading the way by hiring women for positions ranging from shop floor managers to workers?roles that have traditionally been dominated by men.

Jayant Acharya, joint managing director and chief executive of JSW Steel, stated that the company's upcoming color-coated steel manufacturing unit in Kashmir's Pulwama is set to have more than 50% female employees. This initiative aims not only to achieve gender diversity goals but also to create an inclusive workplace offering economic self-reliance opportunities for local women. In Karnataka's Ballari district, JSW Steel's coil-to-plate and sheet processing line unit is entirely managed by a team of approximately 60 female engineers. Additionally, JSW Paints is establishing colorant lines managed by women, according to its CEO, AS Sundaresan.

At Aditya Birla Group, over 50% of new engineering hires on the shop floor are women, thanks to factors like increased automation, relaxed regulations allowing women in night shifts in some states, and women-friendly facilities such as washrooms and daycare centers for mothers. Santrupt Misra, group director of Birla Carbon and Group HR head, ABG, highlighted the proactive efforts by corporations, more women joining engineering and STEM courses, and a societal shift encouraging women to pursue factory jobs as driving forces behind this change.

While the manufacturing sector still leans heavily towards male representation (with women comprising 5-15% of the workforce), companies recognising the need for a diverse talent pool are taking active steps to increase female participation. Tata Motors, for instance, has set a goal to raise the proportion of women in their shop floor workforce from the current 23% to 25%. The company employs over 4,500 women across all its plants, with 1,850 involved in assembling commercial vehicles, including trucks and buses. Notably, Tata's Pune plant, responsible for assembling large sports utility vehicles like Harrier and Safari, operates with an all-female workforce of 1,600 across three shifts.

MG Motor India is another automaker leading the way in gender inclusivity. The company has implemented gender-neutral job descriptions and employs women across various roles. Their Hector model is assembled entirely by a team of women. These initiatives collectively signify a significant stride towards breaking gender stereotypes and fostering a more inclusive work environment within the Indian manufacturing industry.

Source: Indiatimes