Women at work

Thecornerstone of India's labourreforms isthe Codeon SocialSecurity (2020), which seeks to extend social protection to all workers, particularly addressingthegrowinggigand informal sectors. This marksa major shiftfrom earlier labour laws that primarily focused on formalsector employees, leaving out a vast majority of India's workforce, especiallywomen

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Amid growing global economic uncertainty, the implementation of India's new labour codes presents a critical opportunity to strengthen domestic resilience and advance inclusive growth.

As the world's fourth-largest economy, India stands at a juncture where realising the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat will depend not only on expanding manufacturing or technological capacity but also on building inclusive and resilient institutions. True self-reliance lies in creating an economy where every citizen, particularly women, can participate meaningfully in the growth story. India has made notable strides in this direction. According to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2023-24, the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for women aged 15 and above has increased from 22.0 per cent in 2017-18 to 40.3 per cent, while the Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) has climbed from 23.3 to 41.7 per cent over the same period. These figures mark a significant narrowing of the gender gap in labour market participation and signal a shift towards greater economic inclusion. Yet, a substantial share of women remains excluded from the workforce, and many of those employed continue to be concentrated in the informal sector, facing low wages, limited job security, and minimal access to social protection. From agriculture and domestic work, to home-based enterprises and gig platforms, informal employment often reinforces economic vulnerability and inequality.