Lok Sabha Question No. 505 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-06
Subject: Labour Force Participation
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shrikant Eknath Shinde, Unmesh Bhaiyyasaheb Patil, Sujay Radhakrishna Vikhepatil, Rita Bahuguna Joshi, Heena Vijaykumar Gavit, Krishna Pal Singh Yadav

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 505

TO BE ANSWERED ON 06 th  FEBRUARY, 2023

## LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION

505.  DR. SHRIKANT EKNATH SHINDE:

PROF. RITA BAHUGUNA JOSHI:

DR. SUJAY RADHAKRISHNA VIKHE PATIL:

DR. HEENA GAVIT:

SHRI UNMESH BHAIYYASAHEB PATIL:

DR. KRISHNA PAL SINGH YADAV:

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

- (a) the present Labour force participation of women and a year-wise list of female wokers in the  force during the ten years;
- (b) whether  the  Government  plans  to  increase  women  participation  in work force, if so, the details thereof along with the steps taken during the last five years in this regard;
- (c) whether the Government plans to implement Equal Remuneration Act for equal pay for equal work for women on the ground and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d) the  steps  taken  for  implementation  along  with  the  action  taken against employers for unequal pay?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI RAMESHWAR TELI)

(a) to (d): The data on Employment and Unemployment is collected through Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by the Ministry of Statistics and  Programme  Implementation  (MoSPI)  since  2017-18.  Prior  to  this, Employment-Unemployment  Survey  (EUS)  was  conducted  by  the  Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment for the years 2010-11 to 201617.  As  per  the  results  of  these  surveys,  the  estimated  Labour  Force Participation  Rate  (LFPR)  and  Worker  Population  Ratio  (WPR)  on  usual status for women of age 15 years and above in the country are as follows:

| Years              | LFPR               | WPR                |
|--------------------|--------------------|--------------------|
| EUS, Labour Bureau | EUS, Labour Bureau | EUS, Labour Bureau |
| 2011-12            | 30.0               | 28.5               |
| 2012-13            | 26.5               | 25.0               |
| 2013-14            | 31.1               | 29.6               |
| 2015-16            | 27.4               | 25.8               |
| 2016-17            | 26.9               | 25.2               |
| PLFS, MoSPI        | PLFS, MoSPI        | PLFS, MoSPI        |
| 2017-18            | 23.3               | 22.0               |
| 2018-19            | 24.5               | 23.3               |
| 2019-20            | 30.0               | 28.7               |
| 2020-21            | 32.5               | 31.4               |

Source : PLFS, MoSPI and Labour Bureau

Results  from  both  surveys  viz.  PLFS  and  Labour  Bureau  are  not comparable  due  to  different  sampling  methodology  and  coverage.  PLFS covers seasonality of labour force as it is conducted during the period July to  June (i.e.  full  year)  whereas  field  work  in  Labour Bureau  survey  varied from 7 to 9 months and therefore, complete seasonality was not covered.

The  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. The Code on  Social  Security,  2020  has  the  provisions  for  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.

The  Code  on  Occupational  Safety,  Health  And  Working  Conditions (OSH),  2020  has  the  provisions  for  the  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.

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.

The  Equal  Remuneration  Act,  1976  provides  for  payment  of  equal remuneration  to  men  and  women  workers  for  the  same  work  or  work  of similar nature without any discrimination.

The  Act  is  enforced  by  the  Central  and  State  Government  by conducting regular inspections to detect the violation of provisions of the Act by establishments. The office of Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) in the Central sphere and State Governments in State sphere is the appropriate authorities to conduct inspections to ensure implementation of the  provisions  of  the  Act.  Appropriate  actions  are  taken  against  the  noncompliers as per the provisions of the Act.

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