Hindustan Zinc, a Vedanta Group company and India’s largest zinc producer, has announced the onboarding of seven LGBTQIA+ employees in 2025.
The announcement, made during Pride Month, reflects the company’s ongoing commitment to building a diverse and equitable workforce in the traditionally male-dominated mining and metals sector.
The latest hiring round brings the total number of transgender employees at Hindustan Zinc to 23.
Transgender employees at Hindustan Zinc now contribute across key business functions, including commercial, marketing, finance, supply chain, laboratory operations, and security.
A Tech-Enabled Path to Inclusion at Hindustan Zinc
Hindustan Zinc credits its success in integrating LGBTQIA+ talent to its tech-first approach.
By leveraging Industry 4.0, robotics, and automation, the company has been able to standardize workflows and minimize manual intervention.
This has enabled the company to create inclusive job roles that are accessible and sustainable for individuals from marginalized communities.
By embedding digital transformation into its operational DNA, the company has not only improved efficiency but also opened doors for underrepresented groups to participate meaningfully in industrial roles.
Progressive Policies That Empower
To support its LGBTQIA+ workforce, Hindustan Zinc has implemented a suite of progressive workplace policies, including:
- Financial assistance of up to ₹1 lakh for transgender employees
- ₹2 lakh support for gender reaffirmation procedures, along with dedicated leave and compensation
- Parenthood policy for LGBTQIA+ individuals legally adopting a child
- Inclusive housing policy tailored for LGBTQIA+ employees
These policies are designed to ensure that employees feel safe, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.
Hindustan Zinc Leadership Speaks: Creating a Culture of Belonging
Priya Agarwal Hebbar, Chairperson of Hindustan Zinc and Non-Executive Director at Vedanta, emphasized the emotional and social significance of the company’s inclusion efforts, “For many individuals in the LGBTQIA+ community, the outside world—and sometimes even their own homes—can feel like a stage where they are constantly watched, judged, and misunderstood.”
She added, “At Hindustan Zinc, however, we strive to create an environment where every person is valued and empowered to be their authentic selves”.
This sentiment is echoed by employees like Kaushal Singh, Civil Infrastructure Manager at the Rampura Agucha mine, who shared that the company’s inclusive culture made him feel “respected and empowered, not just as an employee, but as a person”.
#CallHZLYourHome: A Campaign for Belonging
Coinciding with Pride Month, Hindustan Zinc launched the #CallHZLYourHome campaign to celebrate diversity and reinforce its commitment to inclusion.
The campaign highlights the company’s industry-leading policies and aims to normalize LGBTQIA+ participation in core business roles.
The company also runs an internal platform called Zinclusion to promote diversity and inclusion.
It facilitates sensitization sessions, leadership engagement, and community outreach to build empathy and awareness across the organization.
Looking Ahead: A 30% Diversity Goal by 2030
Hindustan Zinc has set an ambitious target of achieving 30% workforce diversity by 2030, as part of its Sustainable Development Goals.
The company currently has a 26% gender diversity ratio within its executive workforce.
This achievement positions the company as a leader in inclusive hiring across the industrial sector.
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