Female workers are making significant strides on shop floors and in traditionally male-dominated roles at automakers, propelled by the adoption of advanced technologies in manufacturing processes that demand precision handling, according to a report by the Economic Times (ET). The surge in female representation is not only attributed to technological advancements but is also a result of active measures taken by automobile companies to hire more women, especially in factories embracing automation and integrating new technologies like robotics, electric systems, and electronics.
Tata Motors, a notable industry player, boasts a workforce of over 6,500 female shop floor technicians across its manufacturing facilities, producing electric cars, SUVs, and heavy commercial vehicles. Notably, the assembly lines for its flagship Harrier and Safari SUVs are managed by a 3,000-strong all-women team at the Pune plant. Additionally, the company has over 3,700 women shop floor technicians contributing to the assembly of commercial vehicles across various plants.
Similarly, Hero MotoCorp has made strides in female workforce inclusion, employing 3,500 women on its shop floors, with women leading assembly lines at factories in Tirupati, Haridwar, and Neemrana in Rajasthan. The company has set ambitious goals to increase the female workforce to 30 per cent by 2030, focusing on recruitment drives, learning programs, mentoring, and networking opportunities.
In parallel efforts, MG Motor India reports that women constitute 34 per cent of the 3,001-strong workforce at its manufacturing unit in Halol, Gujarat. These strides reflect the changing dynamics within the automotive sector, indicating a notable increase in female representation.
To attract and support female workers, companies are offering a range of benefits, including safe transportation, medical coverage for IVF, and gender-neutral parental leave. Hero MotoCorp has implemented crèche facilities and a buddy system for returning mothers, while Mercedes-Benz India ensures designated personal spaces and conducts monthly catch-ups to address concerns and gather feedback for improvement.
Looking ahead, automotive firms aspire to achieve a more balanced gender representation of 30-50 per cent of female workers on their shop floors, marking a significant step toward further improving overall female workforce participation.
In October 2023, the Female Labour Force Participation Rate (FLFPR) recorded a notable increase of 4.2 percentage points, reaching 37 per cent. Deloitte’s Blue Collar Workforce Trends Report 2023, released around the same time, reported an eight per cent female participation in the blue-collar workforce, a substantial growth from the two per cent reported decades ago. The report highlighted that industries such as life sciences, automotive, and engineering design are leading in gender diversity ratios. This shift is attributed to factors like high automation levels, a demand for skilled talent, premium pay, and a notable shift in mindset within these industries.
