The Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has launched a survey on "increasing women's participation in the workforce". The survey is being undertaken as a joint initiative by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, and the Ministry of Labour and Employment to assess the participation of women in the labour force.
The survey was announced at an event, titled ‘Women in the Workforce for Viksit Bharat’, held at the Bharat Mandapam in Delhi on Tuesday, January 30. It was chaired by Union Ministers Smriti Irani and Bhupender Yadav.
As part of the survey, EPFO is seeking details from its subscribers regarding the facilities available for women employees at workplaces across the country. A detailed questionnaire asked the participants about the availability of facilities like provisions of the internal complaints committee for Prevention of Sexual Harassment (POSH) at the workplace, flexible or remote working hours for women, transportation facilities during late hours, and 'equal pay' for female workers.
According to reports, this initiative comes amid concerns over the downfall in participation of the female workforce in the country by several international agencies and trade unions, including the International Labour Organization (ILO).
The survey includes a detailed questionnaire for the participants and seeks several organisation details, including crèche facilities for children among others. It has been shared by the EPFO with all its subscribers across the country. Those interested in taking part in the survey will have to fill in the details on the official website myscheme.gov.in.
EPFO has around 30 crore members across 21.23 lakh establishments in India, as per its annual report for FY 2022-23.
The event in New Delhi was aimed at charting out a plan for women-led development by adopting a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach, read a statement from the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
Speaking at the event, Union Minister Smriti Irani appreciated the initiative ensuring that women construction workers are paid online directly in their accounts eliminating exploitation. “We are proudly a part of Digital Democracy under the leadership of our Prime Minister and today more than 24 crore women across the country have bank accounts,” she stated.
She also commended the survey, which will provide a "robust understanding of working conditions based on the feedback from women."
As per the official data, women's Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) has improved in the last few years, however, it is majorly in the unpaid work category.
The female participation rate was 17.5% in 2017-18 and increased to 27.8% in 2022-23, according to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS).
The female labour force participation rate was 11.80% in 2017-18, as per the Centre for Monitoring the Indian Economy (CMIE). It came down to 8.73% in 2022-23.
(Edited by : Sudarsanan Mani)
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