L. A. DEBATES (CENTRAL) QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS 813
Mrs. Renuka Ray : Is the Honourable Member aware that there is a growing number of cases of violation in some of the mines in Jharia and Ranigunj coalfields and that children of
14 and 15 are signed up as adults and actually go down the mines ? And what does the Honourable Member propose to do about it ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : If the Honourable Member has any specific cases having reference to specific mines and will bring them to my notice, I will certainly take the matter up.
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*** Underground Work in Mines** by Pregnant Women
- Mrs. Renuka Ray : Will the Honourable the Labour Member please state:
(a) if he is aware of the fact that pregnant women usually work underground in mines until the ninth month and again a fortnight after child birth, and that in mines where maternity benefits are not given they work even longer ?
(b) the steps Government have taken to stop pregnant women from working underground;
(c) if it is a fact that there have been a certain number of accidents to women working underground within the last year and there is no way of ascertaining how many of these accidents have occurred to pregnant women; and
(d) if it is a fact that maternity benefits are given only in some mines; what steps Government intend to take to make maternity benefits compulsory for all women working in mining areas ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) I am not aware of the basis for this allegation. Under section 3 of the Mines Maternity Benefit Act, employment of a woman for a period of four weeks following her confinement is prohibited. Further a woman is entitled to leave of absence for a period of one month before she expects to be delivered of a child. Inspections under this Act are regularly made by the Labour
- Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. V of 1944, 20th November 1944, p. 1003.