Domestic liner Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) has emerged as a pioneer among top Indian fleet owners when it comes to hiring women in key roles on ships with over 20 per cent women workforce and a robust gender-neutral hiring policy in place.

  Incidentally, SCI- which owns and operates around one-third of the Indian tonnage and has operating interests in practically all areas of the shipping business, servicing both national and international trades -- has at its helm a woman as the chairperson and managing director, H K Joshi.

Of the total 646 employees, 135 are women.

 “SCI has been the pioneer in India with regards to recruiting women for jobs on board its fleet

 Presently, two masters, five chief officers, two second engineers, 31 second/third officers, six third/fourth engineers and two nurses are women serving on various types of ships,” as per the annual report of the Navratna public sector enterprise.

 In addition, there are 13 women trainee nautical officers, four woman trainee marine engineers and seven woman trainee electrical engineers.

The company is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity and strives to provide employees with a workplace free of discrimination, the report said.

 All HR activities of recruitment, placement, promotion, transfer, separation, compensation benefits and training ensure equal opportunities for skill enhancement and career progression, it said.

“Company’s efforts are reflected in the representation of women across various hierarchical grades.

At present, women constitute around 20.54 per cent of total workforce at shore establishments of your company,” SCI said.

SCI encourages active involvement in the activities of the Forum of Women in Public Sector (WIPS) since its inception, it said.