Tata Steel aims to achieve a workforce consisting of at least 25% diverse groups, including gender minorities, marginalized communities, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQIA+ individuals within the next few years, according to a company official.
The company has pioneered a special recruitment drive for transgender talent, having hired over 100 members from the community for various roles across different locations. This initiative positions Tata Steel as one of the first companies in India to actively recruit transgender individuals.
"Continuing this drive, we aim to have 25% of our workforce from diverse groups in the next couple of years," the official stated.
Currently, 113 transgender individuals have been onboarded and assigned to various roles in manufacturing, operations and maintenance, mining, and services. These employees are stationed in locations including Noamundi, West Bokaro, Kolkata, Kharagpur, Kalinganagar, and Jamshedpur.
Some of these employees work in all three shifts and operate Heavy Earth Moving Machinery (HEMM) at the Noamundi iron ore mine in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum and West Bokaro coal mine in Ramgarh district.
"Tata Steel appreciates the potential of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) and has a tremendous organizational focus on it," the official said. "In line with this, we renewed our commitment and refocused our approach to DE&I in 2015 by setting up MOSAIC - a platform for pioneering initiatives, diversity targets, and employee-friendly policies conceptualized and executed from the apex level."
The official acknowledged initial challenges due to inadequate knowledge about the transgender community but emphasized that the detailed plan was implemented smoothly. Since the first batch of transgender individuals was inducted in 2019 following proper training, no complaints have been received from any employees.
Jaya Singh Panda, Chief Diversity Officer at Tata Steel, emphasized the importance of nurturing a workplace where everyone feels valued and respected, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Panda highlighted that diversity is a key strength for long-term success and innovation.
Transgender employees have expressed satisfaction with their roles at Tata Steel. A transgender employee at the Jamshedpur plant noted feeling safe and supported by coworkers. The company has also developed inclusive infrastructure, including separate toilets.
A trans-female employee from Noamundi shared how her father's perception changed after seeing her employed at Tata Steel. Another trans-male employee in Jamshedpur expressed gratitude for being able to support his family and contribute to his sister’s marriage. Overall, these employees appreciate the acceptance and opportunities provided by Tata Steel.
[With PTI inputs]
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