A new report has revealed that 78% of Indian employers plan to hire more women for blue-collar jobs in 2025, an increase from 73% last year. The report, released by job platform Indeed, highlights a shift in hiring trends as companies aim to boost gender diversity in the workforce.
Women’s Presence in Blue-Collar Jobs
Currently, women make up 20% of India’s blue-collar workforce. Some industries have a higher female representation than others. The retail and healthcare sectors lead with 32% of women employees, while industries like banking, financial services, insurance (BFSI), IT, and telecommunications have less than 10% women in their workforce.
The report indicates that several industries are actively working to increase women’s participation in blue-collar roles. Employers are becoming more focused on creating inclusive workplaces and providing better opportunities for women in these sectors.
Financial Independence: A Key Factor
One of the major reasons why more women are choosing blue-collar jobs is financial independence. According to the survey, 70% of women respondents cited financial security as their primary motivation for seeking employment in this sector.
Despite the increase in hiring efforts, retaining women in these jobs remains a challenge. Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales at Indeed India, emphasized that businesses must go beyond hiring and focus on career growth, financial security, flexibility, and healthcare policies to ensure long-term participation of women in the workforce.
He also highlighted the need for skilling programs, mentorship opportunities, and leadership development tailored for blue-collar women to help them advance in their careers.
Government’s Role in Supporting Women Workers
Meanwhile, the government has also taken steps to support women in the unorganised workforce. Earlier this week, it was reported that over 30.68 crore unorganised workers have registered on the e-Shram portal to access social welfare benefits. Women account for 53.68% of these registrations, indicating their growing participation in social security schemes.
The e-Shram portal, launched on August 26, 2021, was created to build a national database of unorganised workers. It provides workers in sectors like construction, domestic work, and street vending with a Universal Account Number (UAN), helping them access various welfare benefits.
Conclusion
The increasing number of women in blue-collar jobs is a positive step toward workplace diversity and economic empowerment. However, businesses and policymakers need to work together to provide better working conditions, skill development, and long-term career opportunities to ensure sustained participation of women in the workforce.
