Rusen Kumar - Founder and Managing Editor of India CSR

MUMBAI: Asian Paints Limited (APL), Asia’s second largest paint company, aiming to become one of the top five decorative coatings companies’ world-wide, has 352 permanent women employees which represent 5.91% of its total permanent work force i.e. 5952, revealed Annual Report, 2016-17.

Gender Equality and Profitability

A link between balanced gender distribution in organization and its profitability is being widely discussed and being reported in its Annual Report and Sustainability Reports, 2015-16.

Workforce Composition

“Company has a total number of 5962 permanent employees in India (including permanent women employees.”, report said.

There are recognized trade unions at the manufacturing locations and certain sales unite are affiliated to various trade union bodies. Approximately 28% of permanent employees are members of recognized employee unions.

Investment in Employees

Asian Paints has invested 5.2% of its total revenue for the employee. “Employee cost as a percentage to revenue from operations increased to 5.2% (Rs 742.83 crores) against 5% (Rs 666.83 crores) in the previous year.”, Report said.

The Profit After Tax for the year is 1,803.10 crores as against of Rs. 1,597.43 of previous year. Total turnover for the year is Rs 15,997.50 crores as compare to the Rs 14,750.74 crores of previous year.

As per the report, It has 12231 contracted workforce and 244 temporary workforce. Company has employed 2 people who are physically challenged.

“Company policy prohibits engaging of any child labour or involuntary labour. Thus, there are no complaints relating to child labour, forced labour and involuntary labour.”, report added.

Financial Performance

During the financial year 2016-17, the Company received 4 (four) complaints on sexual harassment and took necessary steps to resolve and close 3 (three) of them in accordance with applicable laws and guidelines. As on 31st March, 2017 1 (one) complaint is under investigation, report added.

Commitment to Workplace Safety

A Committee has been constituted in accordance with the requirements under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act, 2013. During the year 4 complaints on sexual harassment and took necessary steps to resolve and close there of them in accordance with applicable laws and guidelines while one is under investigation. (Page No.98, Annual Report, 2015-16)

“Company is committed in ensuring fair pay and a healthy work environment for all its employees and offers competitive compensation. It prohibits any kind of discrimination, harassment, victimization or any other unfair practice being adopted against an employee and or a business associate.”, report said.

Annual Report, 2015-16 has published a list of employees employed throughout the financial year 2015-16 and were paid remuneration not less than Rs 60 lakh per annum.