888 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
(c) if there is any difference in the wages and dearness allowance paid to the men and women workers doing the same kind of work ; and, if so, the reasons for the difference ;
(d) whether the women engaged under contract system receive the same wages and dearness allowance as those directly recruited, and the reasons for the difference, if any ?
(e) whether any of the factories provide facilities for maternity and Child Welfare ; and if so, in what manner ;
(f) whether any of these factories provide creches and make other arrangements for the care of the children of their employees ; and
(g) if the answers to (e) and (f) are in the negative, whether Government propose to take immediate steps to compel the owners of factories to make the necessary arrangements ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : (a) Data in respect of the average wage of women employed in factories in Delhi is not readily available. In some factories women are paid at monthly rates and in others at piece or daily rates.
(b) No detailed information is available but the dearness allowance paid to women workers ranges from Rs. 10 to Rs. 32.
(c) So far as is known, there is no difference in wages and dearness allowance paid to men and women doing the same kind of work.
(d) So far as is known women in factories are engaged direct and not through contractors.
(e) Two factories provide facilities for maternity and child welfare. (f) Yes, two factories provide creches. In one factory free baths are provided daily to the children of employees and under-nourished children are supplied daily half a seer of milk free of cost. In the other factory free education is given to the children of employees in the school run by the factory and half a seer of milk each is given daily to all the children free of cost.
(g) Does not arise.
Sir Vithal N. Chandavarkar : May I know whether the Province of Delhi has no Labour Department of its own ?
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I must have notice of that question ?
Mrs. Renuka Ray : May I ask whether it would surprise the Honourable the Labour Member to hear that there are 3,500 women