An entire smelter line at Vedanta Aluminium’s operations in Jharsuguda, Odisha, will be operated by an all-women team. This is a step by the Indian aluminium producer towards fostering gender parity and inclusion at the workplace. Given the fact that the Jharsuguda smelter is amongst the largest aluminium smelters in the world, this is rather remarkable.
Vedanta Aluminium ensures that all roles are gender-agnostic. Therefore, women take on diverse responsibilities across smelting, mining, power generation, logistics, asset security, as well as procurement. The company is aiming for 30 per cent representation of women in the workforce by 2030.
One of the potlines of the smelter, located in an SEZ, is being transformed into a fully women-managed operation. A potline is a crucial component of the aluminium smelting process, where electrolytic reduction is carried out to produce aluminium metal. The work will be executed in three phases, with more than 100 duty positions identified across various levels, expertise, and competencies. Women employees from across the smelter and other business units have been selected through internal job postings, diversity connect programmes, and information dissemination initiatives. These employees are undergoing specialised on-the-job training, supported by technical anchors and senior leadership to ensure a seamless transition.
The initiative is in line with Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to improving women’s participation at the workplace. The metals, mining and heavy engineering industry has always been dominated by men, but Vedanta boasts of a high gender-diversity percentage.
Vedanta Aluminium also prioritises 50 per cent women hiring for fresher roles. To enhance female participation in the metals and mining industry, it has launched Project Shree Shakti, which introduced night shifts for women in Odisha operations – a first in the state. Its Project Panchhi is providing financial aid for higher education and employment opportunities at Vedanta Aluminium to young girls from the marginalized communities.
Pankaj Sureka, chief human resources officer, Vedanta Aluminium, shares how they “believe in the philosophy of‘ Shakti se Pragati’ or progress through empowerment.” It is on the basis of this philosophy that Vedanta is “creating equal opportunities and accelerating actions that enable women to lead across all functions, from shop floors to leadership roles.”
According to Sunil Gupta, chief operating officer, Vedanta Aluminium, “By empowering women with greater opportunities in core manufacturing roles, we are not only breaking industry stereotypes but also creating an equitable, future-ready workplace. This initiative at one of the world’s largest smelters is a testament to our commitment to fostering gender diversity across our business.”