Despite Goa
being a progressive State, the ratio of working women vis-a-vis men is only
24.9 per cent, which is much lesser than the national average of 28.7 per cent,
shows latest Government of India data.
The data on employment and unemployment scenario in the country
is collected through Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) conducted by National
Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation
(MOSPI). As per the latest PLFS report available for year 2019-20, the
estimated Worker Population Ratio (WPR) on usual status basis for aged 15 years
and above both for male and female was 73.0 per cent and 28.7 per cent
respectively. Goa had a ratio of 24.9 per cent.
In fact some of the lesser economically developed States like
Jharkhand (35.2 per cent) and Chattisgarh (52.1 per cent) and even Union
Territories like Dadra & Nagar Haveli (52.3) along with
Daman & Diu (34.8) are far ahead of Goa.
The solace for the State however is some of the bigger States
like the national capital (14.5 per cent), Punjab (21.8 per cent), Uttar
Pradesh (17.2 per cent) West Bengal (23.1 per cent) are even worse than Goa.
The worst performing State in this regard is Bihar with only 9.4 per cent
representation while best is Himachal Pradesh / 63.1
However this does not
mean that the State should not work towards encouraging more women to work.
While sharing this
information in the Lok Sabha on Monday by Minister of State, Ministry of Labour
& Employment Rameswar Teli said, “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.”
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 minister said.
