Question : Women Participation in Workforce

(a) whether the Government has analysed data on participation of women in workforce in the Country in during the last year and if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether the Government is taking steps to increase women’s participation in workforce and if so, the details of action taken;
(c) the number of women employee in the country against the male employees and the participation of women employee in the Country’s GDP;
(d) the details of the percentage of working women across the country, State/UT-wise; and
(e) whether the Government has taken note that percentage of women on top posts is very less and if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefore and the further steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

(SHRI RAMESWAR TELI)

(a) to (e): The data on Employment and Unemployment is collected through Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation (MOSPI). As per the latest PLFS report available for year 2019-20, the estimated Worker Population Ratio (WPR) on usual status basis for aged 15 years and above both for male and female was 73.0% and


28.7% respectively. Further, the State/UT-wise estimated female Worker Population Ratio (WPR) on usual status basis for aged 15 years and above is at Annexure.

Government has taken various steps to improve women’s participation in the labour force and quality of their employment. A number of protective provisions have been incorporated in the labour laws for equal opportunity and congenial work environment for women workers. These includes enhancement in paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, provision for mandatory crèche facility in the establishments having 50 or more employees, permitting women workers in the night shifts with adequate safety measures, etc.

Employment of women in the aboveground mines including opencast workings has been allowed between 7 pm and 6 am, and in below ground working between 6 am and 7 pm in technical, supervisory and managerial work where continuous presence may not be required.

The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 now subsumed in the Code on Wages, 2019 provides that there shall be no discrimination in an establishment or any unit thereof among employees on the ground of gender in matters relating to wages by the same employer, in respect of the same work or work of similar nature done by any employee. Further, no employer shall make any discrimination on the ground of sex while recruiting any employee for the same work or work of similar nature in the conditions of employment, except where the employment of women in such work is prohibited or restricted by or under any law for the time being in force.

To enhance the employability of female workers, the Government is providing training to them through a network of Women Industrial Training institutes, National Vocational Training Institutes and Regional Vocational Training Institutes.


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