Lok Sabha Question No. 2105 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-08-02
Subject: Gender Gaps in Labour Force Participation
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2105 TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 ND  AUGUST, 2021

## GENDER GAPS IN LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION

2105. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

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

- (a) the steps taken by the Government to reduce gender gaps in labour force participation in the country;
- (b) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  fact  that  the  Ministry  is  not having any data concerning women's participation in labour force in the country;
- (c) if so, whether the Government proposes to consider compiling such data; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (d): 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.

The data on employment/ unemployment is being collected through Periodic Labour  Force  Survey  (PLFS)  conducted  by  National  Statistical  Office  (NSO), Ministry  of  Statistics  &  Programme  Implementation  (MOSPI)  since  2017-18. The survey provides indicators for the employment/ unemployment scenario in the country including for women. The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for women aged 15 years and above on usual status basis as per PLFS reports is as under:

| Year           |   LFPR (in %) |
|----------------|---------------|
| PLFS (2017-18) |          23.3 |
| PLFS (2018-19) |          24.5 |
| PLFS (2019-20) |          30   |

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