Bhubaneswar: Among the Labor Force serving in Rural Areas of Odisha, more than 24 Percent are Female Workers.
As per the results of Periodic Labor Force Survey (PLFS) conducted during 2018-19 by National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Program Implementation, the estimated Female Worker Population Ratio (WPR) on Usual Status include Principal Status (PS) + Subsidiary Status (SS) for 15 years and above in Odisha is 24.2 Percent.
In Odisha 74.6 Percent are Male Workers serving in Rural Zones, as per latest report.
In fact the Union Government has taken several initiatives to improve women’s participation in the Labor Force.
In order to encourage employment of women, a number of protective provisions have been incorporated in the labor laws for creating congenial work environment for women workers.
These include 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 Union Government has taken a decision to allow the employment of women in the aboveground mines including opencast workings between 7 pm and 6 am and in below ground working between 6 am and 7 pm in technical, supervisory and managerial work where continuous presence may not be required.
The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976 now subsumed in the Code on Wages, 2019 which 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.
Further, in order 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, an official said.
