Agriculture Tops Employment for Women in India: PLFS Report

As per the Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) Report 2021-22, the estimated percentage distribution of workers at All-India level in usual status by broad industry division as per National Industrial Classification (NIC) 2008 reveals that agriculture has the highest estimated percentage distribution of female workers, followed by manufacturing.

Agriculture Employs the Most Female Workers

According to the PLFS report, the estimated percentage distribution of female workers in agriculture is 62.9%, whereas the percentage of male workers is 38.1%, with the total percentage of workers being 45.5%. In comparison, manufacturing employs 11.2% of females and 11.8% of males, with the total percentage of workers being 11.6%. The PLFS report also showed that the mining and quarrying industry employs only 0.1% of females and 0.4% of males, with the total percentage of workers being 0.3%.

Steps Taken by the Government to Improve Women's Participation in the Labour Force

The Indian government has been taking measures to improve women's participation in the labour force and the quality of their employment. To ensure equal opportunity and a congenial work environment for women workers, protective provisions have been incorporated in labour laws. The government has also taken several initiatives, such as increasing paid maternity leave from 12 to 26 weeks, making it mandatory for establishments with 50 or more employees to have a crèche facility, allowing women to work night shifts with adequate safety measures, etc.

Equal Remuneration Act, 1976

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.

Training for Female Workers

The Indian government is also providing training to female workers through a network of Women Industrial Training institutes, National Vocational Training Institutes, and Regional Vocational Training Institutes to enhance their employability. Their efforts are well reflected in the increasing number of females in agriculture sector!

Low Female Labour Force Participation Rate in Haryana

As per the Annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) report 2021-22, the estimated female Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) in Haryana on usual status for age 15 years and above is 19.1%. However, district-wise estimates are not captured in PLFS reports.

The PLFS report highlights the uneven distribution of male and female workers across various industries in India, with agriculture employing the highest percentage of female workers. The Indian government has taken several measures to improve women's participation in the labour force and their working conditions. However, more needs to be done to increase the female Labour Force Participation Rate in India, especially in states like Haryana, where it is relatively low.