Lok Sabha Question No. 65 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-07-19
Subject: Job Loss during Covid-19
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Lallu Singh, Faizal P.P. Mohammed, Ramesh Bidhuri

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 65 TO BE ANSWERED ON 19 TH   JULY, 2021

JOB LOSS DURING COVID-19

65. SHRI LALLU SINGH: SHRI MOHAMMED FAIZAL.P.P.: SHRI RAMESH BIDHURI:

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

- (a) whether it is a fact that the employment opportunities have decreased and the percentage of unemployment has increased in the country in the last six months, if so, the reasons therefor;
- (b) whether the Government proposes to provide any kind of financial assistance to those who have become jobless during the second wave of Covid-19; if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the  scheme  of  the  Government  to  reduce  unemployment  which  is  on constant rise in the country;
- (d) the number of casual/contract employees retrenched from their jobs during this  second  wave  of  Covid-19  pandemic,  State/UT-wise  and  the  welfare measures  provided  to  compensate  their  job  loss  indicating  the  number  of people adequately compensated;
- (e) the  total  number  of  employees/labourers  who  have  lost  their  jobs  due  to Covid-19 especially in NCR region; and
- (f) whether  the  Government  has  planned  for  any  financial  help  for  such employees/labourers and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## (SHRI BHUPENDER YADAV)

(a)  to  (f):  COVID-19  pandemic  followed  by  lockdowns  has  affected  economies across  the  globe  including  India.  Government  has  taken  several  initiatives  to address the challenges and threats posed by the pandemic.

Employment generation coupled with improving employability is the priority of the Government. Government is providing fiscal stimulus of more than rupees twenty seven lakh crore as part of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat financial Package.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat package comprises various long term schemes/ programmes/ policies for making the country self-reliant and to create employment opportunities.

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rozgar Yojna (ABRY) Scheme has been launched with effect  from  1st  October  2020  to  incentivize  creation  of  new  employment  along with social security benefits and restoration of loss of employment. This scheme reduces the financial burden of the employers and encourages them to hire more workers. Under ABRY, Government of India is providing for a period of two years both the employees' share (12% of wages) and employer's share (12% of wages)  of  contribution  payable  or  only  the  employees'  share,  depending  on employment strength of the EPFO registered establishments.The new employees under the scheme include those who lost their jobs during Covid-19 and didn't join in  any  EPF  covered  establishment  upto  30.09.2020.  The  terminal  date  for registration of beneficiary under the scheme has been extended from 30th June, 2021 to 31st March, 2022. As on 12th July 2021, total benefit of around Rs.993 crores has been given through 84,390 establishments covering more than 22 lakh beneficiaries.

PM-  SVANidhi  Scheme  has  facilitated  collateral  free  working  capital  loan upto Rs.10,000/- for one-year tenure to street vendors, to help them resume their businesses during the post Covid period.

Besides above, Government has taken various steps for generating employment in the country like encouraging various projects involving substantial investment  and  increasing  public  expenditure  on  schemes  like  Prime  Minister's Employment  Generation  Programme  (PMEGP),  Mahatma  Gandhi  National  Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), Pt. DeenDayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya  Yojana  (DDU-GKY)  and  Deendayal  Antodaya  Yojana-National  Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).

Pradhan  Mantri  Mudra  Yojana  (PMMY)  has  been  initiated  by  Government inter alia, for facilitating self-employment. Under PMMY collateral free loans upto Rs. 10 lakh, are extended to micro/small business enterprises and to individuals to enable them to setup or expand their business activities.

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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