Lok Sabha Question No. 1277 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-19
Subject: Assessment of Level of Unemployment
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Thomas Chazhikadan, Vellalath Kochukrishnan Nair. Sreekandan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1277

TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH  SEPTEMBER, 2020

## ASSESSMENT OF LEVEL OF UNEMPLOYMENT

1277.  SHRI THOMAS CHAZHIKADAN:

SHRI V.K.SREEKANDAN:

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

- (a) the level of year-wise unemployment in the country during the last five years ending on 31 st   March, 2020;
- (b) whether the Government has made an assessment of the level of unemployment  in  the  country  during  the  period  from  1 st   April,  2020  to  31 st August, 2020 and if so,the month-wise details thereof;
- (c) the  measures/steps  taken  by  the  Government  for  the  generation  of  more employment to overcome the slowdown caused by COVID-19 pandemic;
- (d) whether it is a fact that the unemployment rate has gone up in August, 2020 as rural jobs dipped, if so, the details thereof; and
- (e) whether it is also true that there has been loss of over 12 crores jobs in the country, if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

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

(a) &(b): The quinquennial labour force surveys on employment and unemployment were  conducted  by  National  Statistical  Office  (NSO),  Ministry  of  Statistics  and Programme Implementation. The last such survey was conducted during 2011-12. Now, NSO has switched to the annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) which has  been  initiated  from  2017-18.  As  per  the  result  of  Surveys,  the  estimated unemployment rate on usual status (principal status + subsidiary status) basis for persons of all ages in the country to the extent available is given below:

| Survey*                   | Unemployment Rate   |
|---------------------------|---------------------|
| 2018-19 (PLFS)            | 5.8%                |
| 2017-18 (PLFS)            | 6.1%                |
| 2011-12 (NSS 68 th round) | 2.2%                |

(Note: *For comparability, the results of the PLFS with earlier rounds of NSS surveys need  to  be  understood  in  the  context  with  which  the  survey  methodology  and sample selection has been designed)

(c)  to  (e):  The  Corona  Virus  (COVID-19)  followed  by  lockdowns  has  affected economies across the globe including India. COVID-19 has resulted in large number of  migrant  workers  going  back  to  their  native  places.  Government  has  taken initiatives to ensure that country is well prepared to face the challenges and threats posed by Covid-19.Government of India has announced an economic package of Rs. 20 Lakh crore which inter-alia, facilitates creation of employment opportunities in the  country.  Aatmanirbhar  Bharat  is  based  on  Economy,  Infrastructure,  System, Vibrant Demography and Demand   to    create  jobs  for  the   youth.

Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY), Government of India is contributing both  12%  employer's  share and 12%    employee's  share under Employees Provident Fund (EPF), totalling 24% of the wage for the wage month from March to 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.

Government  of  India,  under  Pradhan  Mantri  Garib  Kalyan  Rozgar  Abhiyan (PMGKRA),  has  taken  various  initiatives  to  boost  rural  infrastructure  &  rural economy  to  provide  local  employment  opportunities  particularly  to  the  migrant returnees. It covers 116 districts of 6 States with a resource envelope of Rs 50,000 crore and is being implemented in a mission mode campaign of 125 days through Ministry of Rural Development.

Government  of  India  has  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.

The unemployment benefit under the Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana being implemented  by  the  Employees'  State  Insurance  Corporation  (ESIC)  has  been enhanced to 50% from 25% of the average earning, payable upto 90 days, alongwith relaxation of eligibility conditions to claim the benefit for insured workers who have lost employment due to COVID-19.

In addition, RBI and Government of India have introduced measures to infuse liquidity  in  the  economy  to  sustain  the  market  economy  and  raise  the  level  of employment.

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