Women Employees
The participation of women in employment has increased in various sectors during recent years.
According to the information collected under the Employment Market Information Programme of the Ministry of Labour and Employment, the details of participation of women in the organised sector year-wise and sector-wise are given below:
(Figures in lakh)
Year (Ended 31st March) | Employment in Organised Sector | Total | |
Public Sector | Private Sector | ||
2008 | 30.40 | 24.72 | 55.12 |
2009 | 30.91 | 24.89 | 55.80 |
2010 | 31.96 | 26.63 | 58.59 |
Government has taken several steps for creating a congenial work environment for women workers. A number of protective provisions have been incorporated in various Labour Laws, such as, The Beedi & Cigar Workers (Conditions of Employment) Act, 1966, The Plantation Labour Act, 1951, The Contract Labour (Regulation & Abolition) Act, 1970, The Inter State Migrant Establishments Workmen (Regulation of Employment & Conditions of Service) Act, 1979, The Factories Act, 1948, The Mines Act, 1952, The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961, The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976, The Employee’s State Insurance (General) Regulation, 1950, The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996, The Industrial Employment (Standing Orders) Act, 1946.
Besides, the Bill for Protection of Women against Sexual Harassment at Workplace Bill, 2010 was introduced in Lok Sabha on 7th December, 2010. It seeks to provide every woman, irrespective of her age or employment status (excluding domestic workers) a safe and secure environment free from sexual harassment by fixing responsibility on the employer and laying down a redressal mechanism.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Labour & Employment Shri Mallikarjun Kharge in reply to a written question in the Lok Sabha