07/02/2019 - Government interventions | Mainstorming

IAS Parliament 6 years

KEY POINTS

· The Mines Act 1952 expressly forbade the employment of women in underground mines, and allowed them to work in above-ground mines only between 6 am and 7 pm.

· Now, however, the labour ministry has amended the rules to allow women to work in underground mines during the day time and in opencast mines round the clock.

Consequences

· Women in underground mining now can occupy “technical, supervisory and managerial” positions, this helps mining engineers

· Employers are mandatory to provide the workers with adequate facilities and safeguards regarding occupational safety, security and health.

· Narrowing gender disparity in mining sector which was traditionally dominated by men.

· Increase in income to the households who depend on mining of minerals, thereby results in increased participation of the women.

· This amendment helps in increasing the female labour force participation rate in the mining sector.

· Moreover it upholds the essence of Article 16 & DPSP of the Indian Constitution which directs government of India to provide equal employment opportunity to the citizens.

Negative Consequences

· Disadvantage to blue collar workers as they have not been mentioned in the amendment.

· Impact of the health on Women is not comprehensively addressed.

· Provisions on compensation to workers needs to be addressed properly.