Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has data on women work force participation in the country since 2015 and if so, the details thereof;
(b) the steps taken by the Government to encourage women work force participation and women entrepreneurs in the country ; and
(c) the data on number of women who remained unemployed since 2015, State-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) to (c): As per the results of Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted during 2017-18 by National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation and Annual Employment-Unemployment Survey conducted by Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour& Employment, the estimated female labour force participation rate on usual status (ps+ss) for 15 years and above to the extent available is given below:
Female Labour Force Participation Rate
Survey* All India
2017-18 (PLFS) 23.3%
2015-16 (Labour Bureau) 27.4%
(Note:* Survey methodology and sample selection are different in PLFS and Labour Bureau surveys)
State/ UT-wise details of the female unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years & above according to Usual Principal & Subsidiary Status Approach (ps+ss) is at Annexure.
Government has taken several initiatives to improve women’s participation in the labour force. In order to encourage employment of women, a number of protective provisions have been incorporated in various labour laws for creating congenial work environment for women workers. These includes child care centers, time-off for feeding children, enhancement in paid maternity leave from 12 weeks to 26 weeks, provisions for mandatory crèche facility in the establishments having 50 or more employees, permitting women workers in the night shifts with adequate safety measures, etc.
The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 provides for payment of equal remuneration to men and women workers for same work or work of similar nature without any discrimination.
Under the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act, 1948, the wages fixed by the appropriate Government are equally applicable to both male and female workers without any gender discrimination.
Further, in order 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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