CII Communique July 2011

Affirmative ActionIndia’s growing economic prowess can only becelebrated when all its citizens can be part of thesuccess story. CII, has since 2007, been committed toencouraging industry members to adopt the CII voluntarycode of conduct on Affirmative Action. This is integralto the organization’s vision of a society that is moreequitable and cohesive.Amara Raja Batteries LimitedAmara Raja Batteries Ltd. (ARBL), an Amara Raja– Johnson Controls Company, that is a technologyleader and a large manufacturer of lead acid batteriesfor both industrial and automotive applications, hasundertaken to improve the quality of life of those fromsocially disadvantaged sections of society by up-skillingand continuous training employees to enhance theircapabilities and competitive skills.The ARBL employee workforce profile for the last 3years is presented in the table below:Percentage of SC / ST EmployeesJanuary 2008 January 2009 January 2010TotalHead SC/ST %CountTotalHead SC/ST %CountTotalHead SC/ST %Count1766 233 13.1937 2030 256 12.6108 2559 373 14.576245 11 4.4898 327 17 5.19878 404 21 5.19802208 25 12.0192 269 25 9.29368 324 32 9.87654172 15 8.72093 249 32 12.8514 324 43 13.2716135 2 1.48148 222 7 3.15315 197 15 7.6142181 6 7.40741 154 6 3.8961 36 8 22.22222607 11.2006 3251 10.5506 3844 12.7992The composition of SC / ST employees at various levelsof the company’s hierarchy is:A. Management Staff 33B. Non-Technical Staff 13C. Technical Staff 21D. Workmen 360E. Others / Management Trainees 05Education & Training for Employability &EntrepreneurshipA complete transformation of villages by encouraginginclusive growth continues to be the focus area ofthe group. Keeping in perspective that 54% of India’spopulation is youth, the group has invested in providingemployable skills with value based education and onthe job training.Till 30 April 2011, a total of 1463 unemployed ruralyouth had undergone quality training under thisscheme of the company. Of these, 1393 havebeen employed by Amara Raja itself in variousdepartments.Currently, 1364 unemployed youth are undergoingtraining under the ARTS scheme in the company. Ofthese, 320 trainees belong to SC/ST communities.EducationAs a part of its Corporate Social Responsibility,the company provides education facilitiesat the primary and secondary level by establishingfully equipped education institutions in remotevillages in the vicinity of company premises. Onesuch institute is at Karakambadi and the other atPetamitta, in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh.A total of 850 students study in these institutions,261 at the secondary level and 589 at the primarylevel.As part of its Affirmative Action initiatives, thecompany has provided 100% concession in tuitionfees to 20 students belonging to SC /STcommunities.To develop the skill levels of the employees,training programmes are being implementedas per the directions of the Government ofAndhra Pradesh. At present, three SCcandidates are undergoing apprentice training in thecompany.There is every reason to believe that in time, focusedinterventions such as these will help match opportunityto capability, offering SC/ST candidates access toemployment that requires specialized skills andtraining.Communiqué July 2011 | 57