britBritannia has recently announced its plans to increase the percentage of women in its Madurai plant. The female workforce will increase from 65 per cent to 70 per cent by the end of 2024. The plant has a capacity of 190 tonnes per day and employs 1,400 people working in three shifts. The majority of the current female workforce are from the Nagari area surrounding the plant.
Indranil Gupta, head of manufacturing, Britannia, highlighted that women are better suited for the nature of work in the biscuit manufacturing plant due to their multitasking skills. They are also more conscious of cleanliness and hygiene, a factor which holds good stead in the food industry. Gupta emphasised that women are capable of performing all types of operations within the plant.
At a national level, Britannia aims to achieve a diversity ratio of 50 per cent by increasing the participation of women in its workforce from the current 41 per cent by the end of 2024.
The company believes that having a higher engagement of women in its plants has improved efficiency and reduced employee turnover. Gupta also stated that the company has provided a safe working environment for its female workforce.
C S Guruprasad, the regional manufacturing head of south India, reiterated the company’s commitment to women’s safety in the workplace. He explained that the entire plant is under CCTV surveillance and that the company prioritises the safety and comfort of its female workforce. Guruprasad added that future recruitment will give priority to women.
