Tata Steel trail towards diversity; to hire 100 women to operate heavy earth moving machinery (HEMM)

Tata Steel is blazing a trail towards diversity by hiring 100 women to operate Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM). With a target to achieve 25 percent diversity in its workforce by 2025, Tata Steel is making significant strides in empowering women in traditionally male-dominated roles.

One such trailblazer is Payal Kumari, a 20-year-old operations assistant at Tata Steel's Noamundi iron ore mine in Jharkhand. Despite initial apprehension due to the sheer size and power of the equipment, Kumari now confidently operates a 100-tonne dumper truck, thanks to comprehensive training provided by Tata Steel.

The company's initiative, "Women @ Mines," launched in 2019, aims to deploy women in all shifts and break mental barriers hindering women's participation in the workforce. By providing training in handling machinery previously deemed too powerful for women, Tata Steel is opening up new opportunities for women across different age groups and backgrounds.

Tata Steel's commitment to equality is evident in its various initiatives, including opening shop floors for women employees in different shifts, becoming the first company in India to allow women to work in underground coal mines and do night shifts in open cast or over-ground mines.

The journey hasn't been without challenges. Tata Steel has invested in sensitizing its workforce and providing infrastructure support to ensure the safety and well-being of its female employees. Facilities such as creches, local transport, and trained female emergency response professionals have been put in place to support women in their roles.

For women like Sapna Pradhan, being part of Tata Steel's workforce is a matter of pride and a significant achievement for her family. With aspirations to progress in their careers, women like Kumari aim to climb the ladder into supervisory roles, while others, like Pradhan, are content with their current roles but remain open to exploring new opportunities within the organization.

As Tata Steel continues its journey towards greater diversity, each milestone achieved by its female employees represents a step forward in breaking barriers and fostering inclusivity in the workplace.