New ILO Report Calls for Gender Equality in India's Construction Sector

 Mumbai : Despite employing over 71 million people and contributing 9% to India’s GDP, the construction industry remains largely male-dominated, with women facing persistent challenges related to low wages, lack of safety, and limited leadership roles. To address these issues, the International Labour Organization (ILO), in partnership with the Employers’ Federation of India (EFI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), unveiled a groundbreaking report titled "Beyond Barriers and Biases – Engendering the Indian Construction Industry."

The report was launched at the CII Centre for Women Leadership’s Inclusion and Competitiveness Summit in Mumbai. It highlights a stark gender imbalance: although more women are graduating with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM), only 12% of the construction workforce is female, and a mere 2% occupy senior management positions.

Many women in the sector are relegated to low-skilled, informal jobs, earning an average of just INR 412 per day. In informal employment settings, the gender pay gap widens further, with women earning 30–40% less than their male counterparts.

To tackle these deep-rooted issues, the report presents a series of actionable recommendations:

Education-Industry Collaborations: Partnerships between Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions and the private sector can boost awareness about career pathways, facilitate mentorship programs, and organize job fairs spotlighting successful women professionals.

Government Policy Reforms: Authorities are urged to launch gender-sensitization drives and enhance safety for women workers through better infrastructure, improved lighting, increased patrolling, and responsive policing.

Workplace Interventions: Companies can create inclusive environments by providing essential amenities such as crèches, clean sanitation facilities, and gender-appropriate safety gear.

A companion publication, Handbook on Good Practices from the Construction Industry, showcases successful initiatives already being implemented across India.

The report is part of the ILO’s ongoing project, “Promoting Rights and Social Inclusion through Organization and Formalization – Phase 2,” funded by the Government of Japan. In 2025, the project will collaborate with the Bihar Labour Resources Department, the Indian National Trade Union Congress, and the Bihar Industries Association to:

• Develop gender-responsive Standard Operating Procedures;

• Provide training on occupational safety and health;

• Launch a digital platform to connect informal construction workers with job opportunities, social protection, and formal employment contracts.

This initiative represents a vital step toward making the Indian construction sector more inclusive, equitable, and empowering for women.

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