Lok Sabha Question No. 1199 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-10
Subject: Welfare Schemes for Women Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Sanjay Haribhau Jadhav, Omprakash Bhupalsinh alias Pawan Rajenimbalkar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1199 TO BE ANSWERED ON 10.02.2020

## WELFARE SCHEMES FOR WOMEN WORKERS

†1199. SHRI SANJAY JADHAV:

SHRI OMPRAKASH BHUPALSINH ALIAS PAWAN RAJENIMBALKAR:

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

- (a)the  details  of  the  welfare  schemes  under  implementation  for  women workers in the country;
- (b)whether  the  Union  Government  has  issued  any  directives  to  the  State Governments for creating/ improving working conditions, fixing working hours,  safety  of  women,  maternity  benefits  and  payment  of  equal remuneration in various sectors;
- (c)if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)the State-wise number of schools set up/ proposed to be set up for the education  of  women  workers  in  the  country  especially  in  Maharashtra during each of the last three years and the current year and the details thereof, State-wise?

## ANSWER

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

(a): India  has  been  following  a  multi-pronged  approach  to  increase the  welfare  of  women  workers.  This  include  on  one  hand,  setting  up  of strong  and  robust  legislative  framework  for  promoting  equality  at  work; improving  working  conditions;  providing  social  security  and  promoting work-family life balance.  On the other hand special policies and schemes such  as  National  Crèche  Scheme,  Working  Women  Hostel,  Mahila  Shakti Kendra  Scheme,  providing  collateral  free  loan  under  Mudra  scheme, Ujjwala  Scheme  for  curbing  trafficking  etc.  are  being  implemented  for promoting women entrepreneurship, employment generation, and providing safe working condition to women workers.

- (b) & (c): In order to promote employment and welfare of women workers, a number of protective provisions have been incorporated in various labour laws like Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 which provides for same wages for same  and  similar  nature  of  work  and  prevents  discrimination;  Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 which provides for paid maternity leave for 26 weeks and mandatory  crèche  facility in the establishments  having 50 or  more employees.  Besides  various  protective  provisions  for  women  workers exists in various labour acts. The implementation of Central Labour Acts is done  by  both  the  Central  and  State  Governments  in  their  respective spheres.

(d): Government is  providing  training  to  women  workers  through  a network  of  Women  Industrial  Training  Institutes, National  Vocational Training Institutes and Regional Vocational Training Institutes.

Further  special  training  programmes  for  women  workers  are  also  being conducted by Dattopant Thengadi National Board for Workers Education & Development (erstwhile Central Board of Workers Education) through which women  workers  are  made  aware  about  their  rights,  duties  and  various protective provisions under various labour legislations.

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