Lok Sabha Question No. 101 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-14
Subject: Job Opportunities
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Sougata Ray

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK  SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 101

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## JOB OPPORTUNITIES

## 101.  PROF. SAUGATA RAY:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) the  number  of  job  opportunities  lost  due  to  COVID-19  in  the  country, State/Sector-wise;
- (b) the steps taken so far to ensure the welfare of poor employees;
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  ensured  the  minimum  wage,  food  or accommodation to the migrant employees; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof, State-wise?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a)  to  (d)  :  The  global  spread  of  the  corona  virus  (COVID-19)  followed  by lockdowns  has  affected  global  economies  including  India.  Government  is taking several steps to ensure that the country is well prepared to face the challenges  and  threats  posed  by  Covid-19.  Aatmanirbhar  Bharat  which focuses on Economy, Infrastructure, System, Vibrant Demography  and Demand to create jobs for the youth has also been launched.

Government  of  India  has  announced  an  economic  package  of  Rs.  20 Lakh Crore and Hon'ble Prime Minister of India has advocated for Atamnirbhar Bharat, to  reduce  unemployment  and  to  help  in  creating  employment opportunities in the country.

Government has launched Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) for  the  poor  to  mitigate  the  impact  of  COVID-19  pandemic..  Measures  are intended at reaching out to the poorest of the poor, with food and money in hands, so that they do not face difficulties in buying essential supplies and meeting essential needs.

Under PMGKY, Government of India is contributing both 12% employers' share  and  12%  employees  share  under  Employees  Provident  Fund  (EPF), totalling  24%  for  the  wage  month  from    March-August,  2020  for  all  the establishments  having  upto  100  employees  with  90%  of  such  employees earning less than Rs. 15000/-. Statutory  PF  contribution  of  both  employer  and  employee  has  been reduced to 10% each from existing 12% each for all establishments covered by EPFO for three months. To boost employment and livelihood  opportunities for migrant workers returning to villages, in the wake of COVID-19 outbreak, Government of India has launched Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan on 20th June 2020. The Abhiyaan focuses  on  durable  rural  infrastructure  and  providing  modern  facilities  like internet in the villages. Skill Mapping of the rural migrant labour is being done to  help  them  work  closer  home.  The  Abhiyaan  involves  intensified  and focused implementation of 25 target driven works to provide employment and create  infrastructure  in  the  rural  areas  of  116  districts  of  6  States  with  a resource envelope of Rs 50,000 crore.

Government  of  India  has  also  launched  PM  SVANidhi  Scheme  to facilitate  collateral  free  working  capital  loan  upto  Rs.10,000/-  of  one-year tenure, to approximately, 50 lakh street vendors, to resume their businesses.

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