Women in India’s blue-collar workforce hold just one in five jobs, according to the latest survey by Indeed, a job matching and hiring platform. Despite increasing hiring intent, challenges ranging from wage disparities to poor sanitation continue to hold women back.
According to the survey, while 73% of the surveyed employers said they hired women for blue-collar roles in 2024, female participation remained stagnant at 20% across the country.
The study covered 2,673 blue-collar women workers and 1,262 employers across 14 industries, including automobile, BFSI, e-commerce, travel & hospitality, FMCG, and manufacturing. The cities surveyed included Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Chennai, Chandigarh, Delhi-NCR, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and Pune.
More female presence in retail, pharma and construction
Industries such as retail (32%), healthcare and pharmaceuticals (32%), construction and real estate (30%), and travel and hospitality (28%) showed increase female representation. However, telecommunications, BFSI, and IT/ITeS lagged behind, with female participation below 10%.
During the survey, 78% of employers revealed plans to hire more women in blue-collar roles in 2025, an encouraging 5% increase in hiring intent compared to the 73% in 2024. Industries like retail (94%), healthcare and pharma (93%), and e-commerce (93%) showed the strongest demand.
Harsh realities
As per the survey, while more women are seeking blue-collar jobs primarily for financial independence (70%), workplace realities remain harsh. It identified three major challenges that continue to push women to the margins. These were rigid work schedules, wage inequality and lack of upskilling opportunities.
More than half of the surveyed women cited a lack of flexible shifts as a barrier. Several blue-collar jobs often demanded strict shift timings, making it difficult for women to balance work and personal responsibilities.
Around 42% of women reported being underpaid compared to their male counterparts, with fewer opportunities for promotions. In industries like automobile, FMCG, and travel & hospitality, more than half of the women surveyed felt their wages did not reflect their work.
Every second woman surveyed preferred upskilling, but access to relevant training remained a challenge. Without structured learning pathways, career progression remains limited.
The employer perspective
On the other side, the employers cited a ‘limited talent pool’ (52%) and high attrition as major obstacles. While women workers’ critical workplace expectations include healthcare benefits, such as insurance and paid medical leave, the employers reported rising healthcare costs as a challenge.
Sashi Kumar, Head of Sales, Indeed India, said, “Our report highlights a pressing reality — 71% of women in blue-collar jobs feel undervalued. Not because they lack ambition, but because job opportunities and growth pathways are limited. While businesses are making efforts to hire more women, true progress depends on better retention strategies, career growth opportunities, and policies that ensure financial security, flexibility, and healthcare. Employers must invest in skilling, mentorship, and leadership pipelines tailored for blue-collar women. Increasing women’s participation today is more than just about diversity, it’s an economic necessity.”
According to another survey by Indeed, India’s blue-collar sector is expected to see more than 2 million job seekers in 2025.
According to the company, “The real measure of progress will not just be how many women join the workforce, but how industries take decisive action to break systemic barriers, ensure fair wages, and provide women with the flexibility and career mobility they need to thrive.”
Published – March 13, 2025 01:58 pm IST
