One in eight workers of LIBERTY Ostrava steel mill is a woman. Today, they debunk the myth about heavy industry and what had been considered as traditionally men’s work. They do not only perform positions just in administration or at labs but they pursue their career more and more at the most demanding operations such as steel or coke plants. Development of modern technologies plays its role too, which makes the otherwise physically demanding work more accessible. Thus, the steel sector has become more attractive and more interesting place for women to build their career.

“Women have always been an inseparable part of our mill and we appreciate their work very much. On the occasion of the International Women’s Day we have prepared a gift for our female colleagues as a proof that we realize that to combine work duties with family care deserves acknowledgement. Under the current circumstances perhaps even more than ever before,“ says Václav Habura, member of the board of directors of LIBERTY Ostrava.

Currently, 5 840 employees work at LIBERTY Ostrava, 725 of which are women. Thanks to the gradual modernization and automation of production processes women work even directly in production and are part of all operations. You can find them as crane or railway operators, but also as coke operators, rollers, electricians, locksmiths, lathe hands and power device mechanics or they are part of the local fire brigade.

“The work of a loco driver – railway woman is interesting and diverse,” describes her profession Ivona Krejčí from transport plant, who is the first woman on this job at the mill ever. “During the twelve-hour shift I have a duty to meet the production requirements to the best of my abilities therefore I am in a constant touch with a gang boss and a dispatcher. We need to be vigilant all the time to prevent any accident. That’s why it’s fine to have around colleagues who rely on and  trust each other. I am happy that I can do what I like doing at the mill.”

The mill supports women to help them improve the work-life balance and strengthen their ambitions to pursue higher positions. Thus, it offers women all kinds of programmes including mentoring, coaching and soft skills courses. The mill supports even the engagement of women on the maternity leave back into their work. It enables them to cooperate on the projects e.g. through work from home and it gives them a chance to develop and train themselves during the entire period so that when the maternity leave ends they can fluently pick up their original work.

Further information:

LIBERTY Ostrava is an integrated steel business with an annual production capacity of approximately 3.6 million tonnes per annum serving primarily construction, machinery and oil & gas industries. The company is a domestic leader in the manufacture of road barriers and tubes. In addition to the Czech market, it supplies its products to more than 40 countries around the world. Together with its subsidiaries in Ostrava, the company has 6,000 employees. The company manufactures its products with a minimum possible environmental footprint. The mill is part of LIBERTY Steel Group.

LIBERTY Steel Group is part of GFG Alliance, a collection of global businesses and investments owned by Sanjeev Gupta and his family. The Alliance is structured into three core industrial pillars: LIBERTY Steel Group, ALVANCE Aluminium Group and SIMEC Energy Group, independent of each other yet united through shared values and a purpose to create a sustainable future for industry and society. GFG Alliance employs c.35,000 people, across 30 countries and has revenues of >USD $20bn.

libertysteelgroup.com/cz/
www.libertysteelgroup.com
www.gfgalliance.com