HUL, Dabur trim workforce despite higher pay rises

India's leading fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies reported contrasting trends in FY26, with permanent employee numbers falling at some firms even as most increased median employee remuneration, according to their latest annual reports.

  Hindustan Unilever and Dabur India reduced their permanent workforce during the year, while Nestlé India, Marico and Tata Consumer Products expanded their overall employee base.

  Hindustan Unilever's permanent workforce declined to 5,898 as of 31 March 2026 from 6,604 a year earlier, while Dabur's employee count fell to 4,770 from 5,343.

  Despite the reduction in headcount, both companies raised median employee remuneration. 

  HUL reported a 6.08% increase, while Dabur's median pay rose 7.7% during FY26. Among peers, Tata Consumer Products recorded the highest median remuneration increase at 12.1%, followed by Nestlé India at 7.3%  and Marico at 6.33%. 

  Industry experts attributed the decline in workforce at some companies to increasing investments in automation, artificial intelligence, digital tools and integrated supply chain systems.  These technologies are helping FMCG companies improve productivity and operational efficiency while reducing dependence on manual processes.

  Meanwhile, Tata Consumer Products increased its permanent employee strength to 4,558 from 4,079, while Marico's workforce rose to 1,983 from 1,908. Nestlé India's overall employee count also edged higher during the financial year, reflecting varied hiring strategies across India's FMCG sector.

—PTI