78% of employers plan to hire more women in 2025, but 52% cite a limited talent pool as a major challenge
Greater Noida (Business Desk): Women in India’s blue-collar workforce hold just one in five jobs, according to the latest survey by Indeed, a global job matching and hiring platform. Despite increasing hiring intent, challenges ranging from wage disparities to poor sanitation continue to hold women back.
The survey, covering blue-collar women in tier 1 and 2 cities across 14 industries including automobile, BFSI, e-commerce, travel & hospitality, FMCG, and manufacturing, underscores a reality: While 73% of employers surveyed agreed that they hired women for blue-collar roles in 2024, female participation still remains stagnant at just 20% across the country.
Some industries are faring better. Retail (32%), healthcare and pharmaceuticals (32%), construction and real estate (30%), and travel and hospitality (28%) lead to women’s representation. Conversely, telecommunications, BFSI, and IT/ITeS lag behind, with female participation below 10%.
According to the survey, 78% of employers are planning 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%) show the strongest demand.
Why women stay on the margins of India’s blue-collar workforce
The survey reveals, that while more women are seeking blue-collar jobs primarily for financial independence (70%) workplace realities remain harsh. Indeed’s survey identifies three major challenges that continue to push women to the margins:
- Rigid work schedules: Over half of the surveyed women cite a lack of flexible shifts as a barrier. The nature of blue-collar jobs often demands strict shift timings, making it difficult for women to balance work and personal responsibilities.
- Wage inequality: 42% of women believe they are underpaid compared to their male counterparts, with fewer opportunities for promotions. In industries like automobile, FMCG, and travel & hospitality, over half of the women surveyed feel their wages do not reflect their work.
- Lack of upskilling opportunities: Every second woman surveyed wants to upskill, but access to relevant training remains a challenge. Without structured learning pathways, career progression remains limited.
Bridging the gap: The employer perspective
Even as 78% of employers express intent to hire more women in blue-collar roles in 2025, they cite a ‘limited talent pool’ (52%) and high attrition as major obstacles. Rising healthcare costs also pose a challenge, despite women ranking healthcare benefits such as insurance and paid medical leave as critical workplace expectations.
“Women don’t just need jobs, they need careers”
Commenting on the report, 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.”
The road ahead: Unlocking India’s untapped workforce
With India’s blue-collar sector set for massive expansion where demand is projected to exceed 2 million job seekers in 2025 according to an Indeed survey; closing the gender gap is more urgent than ever. 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.
India Inc. has a choice: continue with incremental progress or take bold steps to set the correct narrative. It’s time to tap into the basics of ethics—from providing proper sanitation to equally weighting the wage scales for women to not just work but lead and grow.
Methodology
This survey was conducted by Valuvox on behalf of Indeed in February 2025, reaching approximately 4,000 employers and employees (blue-collar women only) including 1,262 employers and 2,673 employees across 14 industries in India: automobile, BFSI, construction and real estate, consumer durables, e-commerce, FMCG, healthcare and pharma, IT, logistics, manufacturing, media and entertainment, retail, travel and hospitality, and telecommunications.
