Lok Sabha Question No. 925 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-02
Subject: Women Labour Force Participation
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 925

TO BE ANSWERED ON 02 ND  DECEMBER, 2024

## WOMEN LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION

925. SHRI MADDILA GURUMOORTHY:

SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING:

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

- (a) whether it is true that only 19% of Indian women of working age participated in  the labour force in  2021, if so, the details  thereof and the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  conducted  any  study  to  enhance women labour force  participation  rates,  if  so,  the  details  thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (c) whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  the  report  published  by International Labour Organisation highlighting the need for further investment in the care economy to boost women's participation in workforce, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the  details  of  the  measures  taken  by  the  Government  during  the last  five  years  to  address  the  said  issue,  along  with  the  data  to espouse their efficacy; and
- (e) whether the Government plans on creating targeted programmes to assist women, especially those with care-giving responsibilities to access formal employment, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE)

- (a)  to  (e):  The  official  data  source  of  Employment/  Unemployment indicator in India is the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by  the  Ministry  of  Statistics  and  Programme  Implementation  (MoSPI) since 2017-18. The survey period is July to June every year. As per the latest  available  Annual  PLFS  reports,  the  estimated  Labour  Force Participation  Rate  (LFPR)  on  usual  status  for  females  of  age  15  years and  above  increased  from  23.3%  in  2017-18  to  32.8%  in  2021-22  and further to 41.7% in 2023-24.

Employment generation coupled with improving employability especially  for  women  is  a  priority  of  Government  and    accordingly several initiatives have been taken by various Ministries /Departments. The details of these provisions are available at https://dge.gov.in/dge/schemes\_programmes and inter-alia include schemes    like  Pradhan  Mantri  Mudra  Yojana  (PMMY),  Stand-UP  India Scheme, Startup India, Prime Minister's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Women in Science and Engineering- KIRAN (WISEKIRAN)  and    SERB-POWER  (Promoting  Opportunities  for  Women  in Exploratory Research). The Namo Drone Didi and Lakhpati Didi initiatives are integral to the Prime  Minister's vision of fostering economic empowerment and financial autonomy among women. Further, Government  is  also  providing  training  through  a  network  of  Women Industrial Training institutes, National Vocational Training Institutes and Regional  Vocational  Training  Institutes.  The  number  of  candidates trained  including  women  since  inception  and  upto  31.10.2024  under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is 1.57 crore. Around 9 crore  women  are  connected  with  Self  Help  Group  under  the  National Rural Livelihood Mission alongwith provisions for collateral free loans.

As  regards  the  care  economy,  a  number  of  provisions  have  been incorporated  in  the  labour  codes  for  congenial  work  environment  for women  workers,  such  as  paid  maternity  leave,  creche  facility,  equal wages etc.

The  Ministry  of  Labour  and  Employment  in  January,  2024  also issued  an  'Advisory  for  Employers  to  Promote  Women  Workforce Participation'.  This  advisory  inter -alia  mentions  the  need  for  balance between employment and care responsibilities for both men and women including  family  friendly  measures  such  as  paternity  leave,  parental leave, family emergency leave and flexible working arrangements.

Further,  the  Union  Budget  (2024-25)  announced  setting  up  of working women hostels in collaboration with industry, and establishing creches, for increasing participation of women in the workforce.

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