Mumbai: With the country’s economy expected to grow to $35 trillion by 2047 and the manufacturing sector rapidly adopting automation, this is expected to increase women hiring and make businesses more inclusive, said a senior executive at TeamLease Services.

“These companies have started gradually introducing automation in these male-dominated industries and have started hiring women. We expect that with the increasing adoption of automation in these industries, companies will hire more and more women in the future,” Subburathinam P, Chief Strategy Officer, TeamLease Services, told PTI.

He further said that companies in the manufacturing sector face numerous challenges in creating greater inclusion, such as deep-rooted societal norms and discrimination, a lack of diverse role models and leaders, and poor work-life balance.

“Women are significantly underrepresented in the Indian manufacturing sector, making up only about 15 to 20 percent of the workforce. However, there is an increase in the hiring of women in sectors that are rapidly adopting automation technologies.

“For example, the electric vehicle industry and telecommunications original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are making concerted efforts to hire more women. Some companies are even aiming for a gender-balanced workforce,” he said.

Despite these challenges, many companies are making progress toward greater inclusivity through targeted initiatives and strategies aimed at creating a more diverse and equitable work environment, he said.

Furthermore, Subburathinam said that the Indian manufacturing sector has seen notable progress in increasing the representation of women in certain industries. For example, in the electronics sector, around 70 to 80 percent of the workforce is made up of women as companies strive to increase gender diversity.

The proportion of female employees has also traditionally been higher in the textile and clothing sector, as women benefit from long-established roles and practices.

However, in many industries that are still dominated by men, such as metal and metal processing, mechanical and plant engineering, and the automotive and auto parts sector, automation is progressing more slowly and gradually, because traditional industrial practices are associated with harsh working conditions, he noted.

In addition, more men are employed in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors, which is an indication of the gender imbalance prevailing in various production segments, he said.