Vedanta Aluminium celebrates ‘Pride Month’ by expanding LGBTQI+ hiring with robust inclusion policies

THEBUSINESSBYTES BUREAU

NEW DELHI, JUNE 26, 2025

Vedanta Aluminium, India’s largest aluminium producer, is redefining the landscape of inclusivity in the manufacturing sector by actively recruiting and empowering transgender individuals across its operations. In celebration of Pride Month, the company has announced plans to onboard 15 transgender employees in 2026 — raising the total number to 44 — across its key locations in Jharsuguda, Odisha, and Korba, Chhattisgarh.

To support the seamless integration and holistic well-being of transgender employees, Vedanta Aluminium has rolled out a robust framework of progressive policies. These include sensitization workshops to foster awareness and empathy, financial and leave assistance for gender reaffirmation surgery, statutory benefits such as higher education allowances, and access to laser hair removal treatments. In a traditionally male-dominated industry, these initiatives mark a transformative shift toward creating an inclusive, respectful, and equitable work environment where diversity is embraced and celebrated.

At its flagship aluminium smelters in Jharsuguda and at Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) in Korba, the company has implemented gender-neutral infrastructure and extended comprehensive benefits. These include 30 days of paid leave and compensation of Rs 2 lakh for gender reaffirmation surgery. To date, six employees at BALCO have utilized these benefits, while two more are pursuing higher education through the company’s initiatives — enabling them to build fulfilling careers and move into leadership positions.

Vedanta Aluminium’s approach transcends hiring by focusing on long-term empowerment and professional growth. These efforts are reinforced by continuous awareness-building programs and a strong commitment to cultivating a respectful and inclusive workplace culture. By embedding diversity at the core of its operations, the company is setting a new benchmark for inclusive growth in India’s manufacturing ecosystem.

Rajiv Kumar, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, underscored the broader implications of the initiative: “The manufacturing sector has long grappled with gender imbalance. Real progress demands that we broaden our understanding of diversity to include all gender identities. At Vedanta Aluminium, inclusivity is not only ethically right — it is a strategic imperative. A diverse workforce brings fresh perspectives, drives innovation, and strengthens resilience, all of which are crucial in today’s dynamic industrial environment. By empowering transgender individuals with supportive policies and equal opportunities, we are creating a workplace founded on respect and dignity, while setting a national standard for inclusive growth in manufacturing.”

The transformative impact of these policies is reflected in the lived experiences of Vedanta’s employees. Alka, a security supervisor at BALCO, shared: “It used to take years to plan and undergo gender reassignment surgery. But with BALCO’s supportive policies, LGBTQ+ employees now receive 30 days of paid leave and a financial benefit of Rs 2 lakh. It has made a world of difference in our lives.”

As part of its Pride Month initiatives, Vedanta Aluminium is also conducting community-level sensitization workshops aimed at encouraging behavioural change and fostering a gender-sensitive, inclusive society.