Lok Sabha Question No. 39 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-09-14
Subject: Growth in Jobs
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: DNV Senthilkumar. S., Subhash Ramrao Bhamre, Manickam Tagore B, Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Amol Ramsing Kolhe, Supriya Sadanand Sule

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.39

TO BE ANSWERED ON 14 TH SEPTEMBER, 2020

## GROWTH IN JOBS

39.    DR. DNV SENTHILKUMAR S.:

DR. SUBHASH RAMRAO BHAMRE:

SHRI MANICKAM TAGORE B.:

SHRI KULDEEP RAI SHARMA:

DR. AMOL RAMSING KOLHE:

SHRIMATI SUPRIYA SULE:

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

- (a) the growth in jobs vis-à-vis economic growth of the country in terms of percentage during the last three years along with the reasons for dismal growth in employment generation;
- (b) whether  his  ministry  has  decided  to  fast-track  the  proposed  National Employment Policy (NEP) which aims at the formalization of the country's 500 million  workforce which includes migrants, to ensure social security and jobs;
- (c) if  so, the details thereof along with the present status and achievement made so far;
- (d) the  reasons  and  failure  of  the  government  for  not  evolving  and  allencompassing  National  Employment  Policy  keeping  in  view  the  current employment situation in the country due to Covid-19 pandemic; and
- (e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to assess and monitor the employment scenario in the country on real-time basis in view of Covid-19 pandemic?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR & EMPLOYMENT

## (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

- (a) (i)As    per    the    results    of    Periodic    Labour    Force    Survey    (PLFS) conducted  during  2017-18 and  2018-19  by  National  Statistical  Office (NSO),    Ministry    of    Statistics    and  Programme    Implementation    ,    the estimated  Worker  Population  Ratio(WPR)   on usual status (principal status + subsidiary status) basis for the persons of age 15 years and above to the extent available is given below:

| Worker Population Ratio (in %)   | Worker Population Ratio (in %)   |
|----------------------------------|----------------------------------|
| Year & Survey                    | All - India                      |
| 2018-19(PLFS)                    | 47.3%                            |
| 2017-18 (PLFS)                   | 46.8%                            |

(ii) The annual GDP Growth Rate during the three  years at constant (2011-12) prices, is given below:

| Year    |   GDP Growth Rate (in %) |
|---------|--------------------------|
| 2019-20 |                      4.2 |
| 2018-19 |                      6.1 |
| 2017-18 |                      7   |

(b) to (d) :  The Government of India has made efforts for evolving a National Employment  Policy.  The  proposed  policy  inter-alia  purports  to  address macroeconomic  policy    issues,    sectoral    policy    issues,    Labour    policy, micro    and  small  enterprises'  issues,  skill  development  issues,  issues relating  to  women  and  vulnerable   workers    and    incorporate    suggestions for  improving  employment opportunities.  Consultations  have  been  held with    various    stakeholders    like  Ministries,    State    Governments,    Trade Unions,  Industry  Associations  etc.  for inputs to the Policy. However,  the  global  spread  of  the  corona  virus  (COVID-19)  followed  by lockdowns has affected global economies including India.  The outbreak  of Novel Corona virus (COVID-19), first in China and now having being spread in most  of  the  countries  of  the  world,    has  emerged  as  a  key  risk  to  human health  as  well  as  global  growth  outlook  through  numerous  channels  like trade,  production  and  supply  chain  disruptions;  decline  in  demand;  lower tourism and business travel  and productivity losses. Unforeseen problems of a large number of migrant workers, gig workers and loss of jobs have also been observed in India during this period.  Such unprecedented times compel for  overall  relook  into  the  paper  on  national  employment  policy  and  its alignment  with  the  recent  unforeseen  developments  and  different  sectoral policies. (e) Central Government has announced an economic package of Rupees 20 lac crores and  Hon'ble Prime  Minister of India  has advocated  for a Atamnirbhar  Bharat. A Working    Group  of Ministers(GoM)  under  the chairmanship  of  Shri  Thaawar  Chand  Gehlot,  Hon'ble  Minister  of  Social Justice  &  Empowerment has been formed to work upon the modalities for skill development and enhancing employment generation in the context new economic situation faced by the country  due to Covid-19 crisis.

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