Lok Sabha Question No. 4674 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-22
Subject: Women Workers in Unorganised Sector
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Ganesh Singh, Shivkumar Chanabasappa Udasi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4674 TO BE ANSWERED ON 22.07.2019

## WOMEN WORKERS IN UNORGANISED SECTOR

4674. SHRI GANESH SINGH:

SHRI SHIVAKUMAR C. UDASI:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- (a)whether  the  facilities  for  the  women  workers  in  the  unorganized sector are also being augmented and if so, the details thereof;
- (b)whether  India's  female  labour  force  participation  remains  low  in comparison to other countries;
- (c)if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
- (d)the steps taken/being taken by the Government for equal participation  of  women  to  explore  their  potential  in  the  labour sector?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a): In order to provide social security benefits to the workers in the unorganized sector including women workers, the Government has enacted the Unorganized Workers' Social Security Act, 2008. This Act stipulates  formulation  of  suitable  welfare  schemes  for  unorganized workers on matters relating to: (i) life and disability cover (ii) health and maternity benefits (iii) old age protection and (iv) any other benefit as may be determined by the Central Government.

Life and disability cover is provided through Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY) and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) to the unorganized workers including women workers State depending upon their eligibility. Government of India and Governments pay the annual premium in equal share.

The  health  and  maternity  benefits  are  addressed  through Ayushman Bharat scheme. For old age protection in the form of monthly pension,  Government  of  India  has  recently  launched  Pradhan  Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan.  Under the scheme, minimum assured monthly pension  of  Rs.3000/-  will  be  provided  to  the  unorganized  workers including  women  workers  after  attaining  the  age  of  60  years.  This scheme is based on the 50:50 basis where 50% monthly contribution is payable  by  the  beneficiary  and  equal  matching  contribution  by  the Central  Government.  Similarly,  Cabinet  has  approved  Pradhan  Mantri Laghu Vypari Maan Dhan Yojana, a pension scheme for shopkeepers/retail  traders  and  self  -employed  persons  on  the  same lines for  providing  them  a  minimum  assured  monthly  pension  of Rs.3000/-.

(b) to (d):   The estimated female labour force participation rate (LFPR) on usual status (Principal Status+ Subsidiary status) basis for persons aged 15 years and above in India is as follows:

| Survey            | Employment Unemployment survey (2009- 10)   | Employment Unemployment survey (2011- 12)   | Employment Unemployment survey (2012-13)   |
|-------------------|---------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| Female LEPR (in%) | 16.3                                        | 30.0                                        | 26.5                                       |
| Survey            | Employment Unemployment survey (2013- 14)   | Employment Unemployment survey (2015-16)    | Employment Unemployment survey (2015-16)   |
| Female LEPR (in%) | 31.1                                        | 27.4                                        | 27.4                                       |

Source: Annual report of 5 rounds of Employment Unemployment Survey conducted by Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour & Employment.

These  results  depict  a  fluctuating  but  declining  female labour force participation rate Over the years. In a recent report titled "A Quantum Leap Gender Equality" published by ILO in 2019, it is stated that  the  Asia  Pacific  region  has  seen  women's  employment  rates  fall more markedly than men's.

As  evident  in  other  countries  of  the  Asia  Pacific  region, this decline may be attributed to factors like higher level of participation of women in education, migration etc. The Government is keen on addressing the issue of low female labour force participation and has launched various legislation based schemes  and Other programmes where the emphasis is on female participation. With a view to  promote  women  participation  in  new  sectors,  women  are  now allowed  to  work  during  night  in  mines  (open  east  mines)  above  and below  ground  for  certain  classes  of  work.  In  addition,  night  work  for women  in  factories  as  well  as  shops  and  establishments  is  also promoted subject to the employer providing adequate safely provisions and Other facilities. Also, a number of protective provisions have been incorporated  for  creating  a  congenial  work  environment  for  women workers.  This  include  enhancement  in  paid  maternity  leave  from  12 weeks  to  26  weeks,  child  care  centers  and  time  off  for  feeding children,  provisions  for  mandatory  crèche  facility  for  children  aged  6 months to 6 years of working women.

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