Business
03 Jun, 2026
HUL employees on permanent roll down 10.7 pc to 5,898 in FY26
Business To Business, New Delhi, 3rd June, 2026: India’s leading FMCG company Hindustan Unilever Limited reported a decline in its workforce during FY26, even as it continues to invest heavily in expanding its manufacturing and premium product portfolio.
Key workforce update
- Permanent employees (FY26): 5,898
- Permanent employees (FY25): 6,604
- Decline: 10.7% year-on-year
The company disclosed the figures in its latest annual report, noting that the reduction reflects a smaller employee base as of March 31, 2026.
Investment and business focus
Despite the workforce decline, HUL is actively investing around
₹2,000 crore to expand manufacturing capacity, particularly in:
- Beauty & wellbeing products
- Home care liquids
- Other fast-growing premium categories
Context
The FMCG major’s restructuring comes at a time when large consumer goods companies are:
- Streamlining operations for efficiency
- Increasing automation in manufacturing and supply chains
- Shifting focus toward high-margin premium segments
HUL stated that its strategic investments are aimed at strengthening long-term growth rather than short-term workforce expansion.
The company remains one of India’s largest FMCG employers, and changes in its staffing levels are closely watched as an indicator of broader trends in consumer demand, automation, and operational efficiency within the sector.