Lok Sabha Question No. 1417 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-09
Subject: Safety and Welfare of Female Workers
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Smt. Anita Nagarsingh Chouhan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1417 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.02.2026

## SAFETY AND WELFARE OF FEMALE WORKERS

†1417. SMT. ANITA NAGARSINGH CHOUHAN:

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

- (a) the  details  of  the  laws,  rules  and  schemes  currently  being implemented by the Government to ensure the safety of women workers engaged in the organised and unorganised sectors in the country, State/UT-wise;
- (b) the details of the present status of implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace, Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal Act, 2013, for the protection of women employees from harassment and exploitation at the workplace;
- (c) the details of the special provisions made for the safety, health and social security of women workers engaged in the unorganised sector and construction sector along with domestic workers and migrant women worker;
- (d) the details of the steps taken/being taken by the Government to ensure  a  safe  working  environment,  maternity  benefits,  equal wages  and  an  effective  grievance  redressal  mechanism  for woman workers; and
- (e) the details of the future action plan of the Government to ensure the safety and honour of woman workers?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (e): The Government of India has implemented the four labour codes viz; the Code on Wages, 2019, the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH & WC) Code, 2020, the Code on Social Security,  2020  and  the  Industrial  Relations  Code,  2020  across  the country w.e.f. 21.11.2025.

The  Code  on  Wages,  2019  provides  for  prohibition  of discrimination on 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.

The Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH  &  WC)  Code,  2020  regulates  health,  safety  and  working conditions for all workers including women workers. The Code also provides for working of women in all establishments at all times with adequate safety measures, creche facilities, separate arrangements for  toilets,  bathing  places  and  locker  rooms  for  male,  female  and transgenders.

The Code on Social Security, 2020 extends social security to all employees and workers including women workers both in the organized and unorganized sectors. The code also provides for 26 weeks of paid maternity leave, along with 12 weeks for adoptive and commissioning  mothers  and  allows  remote  work  after  maternity leave wherever feasible.

The Industrial Relations Code, 2020, elaborates mechanism for settlement of dispute of workers including women. The code provides for adequate representation of women in Working Committees & Grievance Redressal Committees.

For the protection of women employees from harassment and exploitation at the workplace, the Government of India enacted the Sexual Harassment of Women  at  Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013, aiming to provide a safe and secure working environment for women across all sectors. The Act covers  all  women,  irrespective  of  age  or  employment  status  and extends its protection to both public and private sector workplaces, organised or unorganised, including domestic workers.

Further, Central Government has issued several advisories to State Governments/UT Administrations regarding prevention, detection, investigation and prosecution of crime against women.

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