Industrial leaders in Ludhiana are sounding a clarion call for a significant increase in the participation of women in the region's industrial workforce. They argue that this move is critically needed not just to address a growing labour shortage but to provide a substantial boost to the local and national economy.
Safety and Infrastructure: The Non-Negotiable Foundation
The consensus among business owners is clear: any effort to bring more women into factories and manufacturing units will fail without first addressing fundamental issues of safety and infrastructure. Rajni Bector, a pioneer in the ice cream and bakery sector, emphasized that women's safety must be treated as the top priority. She called for the government and police to play a proactive role in ensuring a secure industrial environment, which she deemed essential for sustainable growth.
Bector specifically highlighted the urgent need for safe accommodation, especially for workers in large units that operate in multiple shifts. She proposed the development of secure hostels near industrial areas. "These need not be free. Women can work and pay, but these facilities should be in place and their safety must be ensured," she stated, outlining a practical approach to the problem.
An Economic Imperative, Not Just Social Need
The industrialists firmly believe that creating a gender-balanced workforce is an economic necessity. Upkar Singh Ahuja, President of the United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers Association, explained that when both men and women earn, it directly increases household buying power, improves living standards, and drives broader economic growth. "Women are a must, not just because they are required, but because of this economic multiplier effect," Ahuja said.
Echoing this sentiment, Gurpreet Singh Kahlon, President of the Auto Parts Manufacturers' Association, noted that while an increase in women workers bodes well for industry, unlocking their full potential requires women-friendly infrastructure and support systems.
A Coordinated Push for an Enabling Ecosystem
The leaders collectively stressed that the challenges of safety, transport, and housing must be tackled in a coordinated manner. They identified reliable transportation and well-managed hostels as urgent requirements, particularly for women migrating from other cities or rural areas for work.
They maintained that building this secure and enabling ecosystem would yield benefits far beyond the factory floor. It would strengthen families, enhance industrial productivity and competitiveness, and fuel long-term economic growth in the Ludhiana region. The message is unequivocal: for industry to thrive, women must be brought into the workforce, and their safety and dignity must be guaranteed first.
