Tata Steel has become the first company in the country to deploy women in all shifts in mines. Along with this, OMQ became the first division in Tata Steel to deploy women in all shifts with effect from September 1, 2019.
Earlier, the company started two shifts at its Jamshedpur plant shopfloor for women employees from April 1, 2019. It has 52 women employees at its Coke Plant and Electrical Repair Shopfloor in Shifts A and B between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm through the week.
Deployment of Women in mines in all shifts was proposed and a Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) subcommittee was formed at Noamundi, Ore Mines & Quarries (OMQ).
The subject was discussed jointly with the Unions of OMQ Division and the women employees and it was agreed upon to deploy women in mines in all shifts. “All norms stipulated by Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) are being adhered to while deployment of women at mines.
Prior written consent from each female employee has been obtained before deploying them in the mine. Adequate facilities and safeguards regarding occupational safety, security and health of the female employees are being kept in mind during deployment.
Sanitary Vending Machines, canteens for women, rest rooms, deployment of women in groups of not less than three in a shift, female security guards and transportation facilities, all are being put in place for these women.
Adequate safeguard regarding security, even during travel has been factored including GPS & CCTV monitoring, while deploying the women in mines,” said an official of the company.
Presently, the deployment is for officers, non-officers and contract employee categories. The deployment of Mining Engineers and Plant Engineers, in the LRP+FMS of Noamundi Iron Mine, OMQ have been done in the first phase which will be progressively extended to all areas.
In keeping up with the changing times, the company has introduced several path-breaking policies, practices and initiatives for various segments of the workforce like five-day workweeks, menstrual leave, paternity leave, adoption leave, satellite office operation, amongst others.
