New Delhi, April 28 (IANS). Union Labor and Employment Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya said on Tuesday that the female labor participation rate in India has increased from 23.3 percent in 2017-18 to 40 percent in 2025, which shows the increasing empowerment of women in the country.
Addressing the ‘Swigstree: Celebrating Women on the Move’ program organized by food delivery startup Swiggy, the Union Minister said that equal participation of women in the workforce is important both socially and economically and has a major contribution in making a developed India.
The minister said, “Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, new opportunities have opened up for women, which has led to a big improvement in employment figures. The female labor participation rate has increased from 23.3 percent to 40 percent.”
He said that the Female Worker Population Ratio (FWPR) has also increased from 22 percent to about 39 percent during this period. At the same time, the female unemployment rate (FUR) has decreased from 5.6 percent to 3.1 percent, which shows that now more women are getting jobs.
The minister also said social security coverage in India has almost tripled in the last 10 years, from 19 per cent in 2015 to 64.3 per cent in 2025. This is the result of labor law reforms, digital inclusion and better implementation of government schemes.
The minister also mentioned the four labor codes implemented since last November and said that these have brought about a big change. The special thing is that for the first time gig and platform workers have been recognized in the Social Security Code, which includes many women. Now they will get the benefit of legal identity and social security.
“The principle of equal pay for equal work has also been included in these codes, which is a big step towards eliminating gender discrimination,” she said.
Labor codes also include facilities like work-from-home facility, maternity leave and crèche at the workplace. All these measures will help remove the barriers that previously made it difficult for women to remain employed.
–IANS
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