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Women in Auto Sector
Context:
The Safe in India Foundation (SIIF), in its sixth annual report titled Crushed, has highlighted an alarming rise in workplace injuries among women in India’s auto sector.
Surge in Crush Injuries
- The number of women experiencing crush injuries—primarily involving the loss of fingers while operating machinery—has surged from 19 cases in 2019 to 321 cases in 2024.
- Other types of injuries have also seen a sharp rise, climbing from 8 cases in 2019 to 126 cases in 2024.
- The report underscores the significant risks posed by machinery, especially power presses, which are commonly used in the industry.
Economic Disparities and Wage Gaps
- The report also sheds light on the economic challenges faced by women in the auto sector.
- Women are disproportionately represented in lower wage brackets compared to their male counterparts:
- 18% of women operators earn between ₹8,001 and ₹9,000, compared to 7% of men.
- For helpers, the gap is wider, with 29% of women earning in this range compared to 20% of men.
- A higher proportion of women also earn below ₹8,000, both in operator and helper roles.
- Most men and women are concentrated in the ₹10,001–₹15,000 salary bracket. However, the persistent wage gap reflects systemic disparities in pay structures.
Link Between Income Levels, Education, and Injury Severity
The report highlights a correlation between income levels, education, and injury severity:
- Workers earning less than ₹8,000 per month lost an average of 2.27 fingers per accident, compared to 1.54 fingers for those earning above ₹20,000.
- Education levels also play a role, with workers below the 5th grade losing an average of 2.23 fingers, compared to 1.72 fingers among those with diplomas.
- On average, a crush injury leads to the loss of 1.94 fingers per worker, reflecting the grave risks faced by underpaid and less-educated employees.
Call for Action
The SIIF report calls for urgent measures to improve safety standards, reduce wage disparities, and provide skill development opportunities. Addressing these issues is critical to ensuring a safer and more equitable workplace for all employees in India’s auto sector.
