Indian Coffee House Scripts History, Hires Women For The First Time

The Indian Coffee House has scripted history by recruiting women for the first time. It is for the first time in the restaurant's 61-year-old long history that such an affirmative measure has been taken.

Sreekutty and Sheena are the two such names among the 10 women who have been recruited by the Indian Coffee House. “I was aware that women are not hired here. My husband died, he was a cook at Indian Coffee House. Times have changed, and I believed that I will be able to get a job here. There were many union leaders, authorities who supported my cause. I have a 10-year-old child to feed and my mother-in-law to take care of.” 32-year-old Sheena told NDTV.

24-year-old Sreekutty lost her husband four months ago. The job at the Indian Coffee House is of great help to her as she is able to take care of both her kids. “I am happy that I have got this job. And even everyone around me at the work placement are supportive,” Sreekutty said.

Both of them were appointed at Thiruvanthapuram's MLA hostel complex under the compassionate appointment scheme.

“I am happy that I have got this job. And even everyone around me at the work placement are supportive,” - Sreekutty

These women are now equal shareholders in this Kerala based restaurant chain. It is built on a concept that all workers are equal and with even top managers rising up the ranks after being recruited as general workers.

The servers at the Indian Coffee House wear a striking white uniform with a red/green waist court and a distinctive headgear. The women, however, will be wearing a blue kurta and brown waist court since they are in probation. After they successfully finish the various tasks at cooking, serving, cleaning departments, they will be given the appropriate uniforms.

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How did this change come about?

It was Sheena's petition that compelled the company to ponder about adding woman employees to the restaurant. “When Sheena first approached us for the job, we had to decline because we hadn't hired women. Later, the industry secretary also happened to ask us why we don't hire women. That's how we started moving in that direction. We are happy that revolutionary idea which began under the great communist leader AK Gopalan, and employs over 2,500 men, now includes women as employees too,” Anil Kumar says.

As part of the program, the Kannur section hired four women on trial basis earlier this year. Seven more have been hired recently.

As part of the program, the Kannur section hired four women on trial basis earlier this year. Seven more have been hired recently.

Moreover, the restaurant chain's customers have also welcomed the coffee house's decision to hire more women employees.

“I have been a regular at Indian Coffee House and used to wonder why women are not employed. I even mentioned this as a passing comment to union leaders. I am glad that the Indian Coffee House shareholders have taken the decision to include women in their rich history. It's a welcome step,” Biju K, Director for Industries and Commerce, said in a report by NDTV.

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