Lok Sabha Question No. 2075 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-09
Subject: Schemes and Policy for Women Employment
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Ms Kangna Ranaut, Smt. Kamaljeet Sehrawat, Shri Muhammed Hamdullah Sayeed

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2075

TO BE ANSWERED ON 09 TH  DECEMBER, 2024

## SCHEMES AND POLICY FOR WOMEN EMPLOYMENT

2075. SHRI MUHAMMED HAMDULLAH SAYEED: SMT. KAMALJEET SEHRAWAT: MS KANGNA RANAUT:

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

- (a) the details of the progress made in employment generation for women in the country during the last ten years;
- (b) the list of reforms and schemes launched by the Government to promote employment generation amongst women and youth during the last ten years, along with the progress made in terms of employment generation against each initiative;
- (c) whether the Government has noted that women and youth employment trends have improved considerably in the States of Himachal Pradesh, if so, the details thereof;
- (d) the details of efforts the Government has made to ensure decent working conditions and a safe environment for women in the workplace across various sectors; and
- (e) whether the Government has proposed any policy to safeguard the right of women gig workers, if so, the details thereof?

## 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 reports, the estimated Worker Population Ratio (WPR) i.e. employment for youth (15-29 years) has increased from 31.4% in 2017-18 to 41.7% in 2023-24 and the female WPR (15 years and above) increased from 22.0% in 2017-18 to 40.3% in 2023-24.

Further, WPR for youth (15-29 years) in Himachal Pradesh has increased from 36.8% in 2017-18 to 52.9% in 2023-24 and female WPR (15 years and above) has increased from 47.5% in 2017-18 to 62.3% in 2023-24.

Employment  generation  coupled  with  improving  employability  is  a priority of Government. Government has taken various initiatives/measures to boost  employment  opportunities  in  the  country,  including  for  women  like Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), Stand-UP India Scheme, Startup India, Prime  Minister's  Employment  Generation  Programme  (PMEGP),  Deen  Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY), Rural Self Employment and Training  Institutes  (RSETIs),  Deendayal  Antyodaya  Yojana-National  Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), Production Linked Incentive, etc. The details of various employment generation schemes/ programmes being implemented by the Government of India may be seen at https://dge.gov.in/dge/schemes\_programmes.

Government is  also  implementing    women  centric  schemes  such  as Mission  Shakti,  Namo  Drone  Didi,  Lakhpati  Didi,  Women  in  Science  and Engineering- KIRAN (WISE-KIRAN), SERB-POWER (Promoting Opportunities for Women  in  Exploratory  Research),  etc.  for  improving  the  employability  of women.

To enhance the employability of female workers, the Government is also providing training to them through a network of Women Industrial Training Institutes,  National  Vocational  Training  Institutes  and  Regional  Vocational Training Institutes.

A number of provisions have been incorporated in the labour laws for equal opportunity and congenial work environment for women workers, such as paid maternity leave, child care leave, creche facility, equal wages etc.

Government  has  enacted  'the  Sexual  Harassment  of  Women  at Workplace  (Prevention,  Prohibition  and  Redressal)  Act,  2013'  (SH  Act)  to provide protection to women against sexual harassment at workplace and for the prevention and redressal of complaints related to it.

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.

In addition, the Ministry of Labour and Employment in January, 2024 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.

The  Code  on  Social  Security,  2020  provides  for  framing  of  suitable social  security  measures  for  gig  workers  and  platform  workers  on  matters relating to life and disability cover, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, old age protection, etc.

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