Women’s labour force participation: Labour Ministry to promote care economy

The Labour Ministry has planned to establish facilities related to child care and elderly care, including care centres in the country, with the aim of expanding opportunities for women to engage in economic activities.

Speaking to The Daily Morning yesterday (23), Ministry Secretary S.M. Piyatissa said that even well-educated women in the country leave their jobs after childbirth which is a grave loss to the economy. "The reason for that is the fact there are no child care facilities established in our country. When there is no one to look after the child, they have to give up their jobs," he said. "Hence, we are planning to establish facilities for child care so that one of the hindrances to female employment is lifted," he added.

"There is a norm established in society that caregiving is a role for women. Many think that taking care of the child is the wife's responsibility and taking care of the elders also should be handled by women," he said. "With elderly care also, we have already completed the planning of the programmes, and they will soon be executed," he added.

He said that this move is being taken in collaboration with the Women and Child Affairs Ministry and the Rural Development, Social Security and Community Empowerment Ministry. International labour communities are also assisting in this process, he added.

According to him, the International Labour Organisation has  recently arranged a workshop in Sri Lanka, at their own cost, for countries in the region to share experiences in the wake of the progression that Sri Lanka is showcasing in promoting the care economy.

Per the latest census data, women outnumber men in every District; yet, due to a lack of facilities and opportunities, their contribution to the labour force remains relatively low, with female labour force participation hovering at around 32 per cent.

Source - The Morning