Govt targets 35% female labour force by '30

THE GOVERNMENT PLANS to to raise women’s participation in the labour force to 35% by 2030, as it faces criticism over persistently low female employment despite steady economic growth.

- SURYA SARATHI RAY

As of September, the female labour force participation rate (F-LFPR) stood at 26.2% for women of all ages, measured under the current weekly status (CWS) mode, which captures activity during the seven days preceding the survey.

The labour force participation rate (LFPR) represents the share of people who are working, seeking, or available for work within the population.

In the draft National Labour & Employment Policy Shram Shakti Niti 2025, released recently, the government proposed a series of measures to boost women’s workforce participation. These include safer workplaces, affordable childcare, flexible and remote work options, and enforcement of equal pay for equal work.