Last updated on June 20th, 2023 at 03:39 pm
Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
The Economic Survey 2022-23, tabled by the Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs, Smt Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament today, highlights the progress made by India’s labor market in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite the impact of the pandemic on labor markets and employment ratios, sustained efforts over the past few years and quick response post-pandemic, have led to a strong recovery of the labor market. This is evident from both the supply-side and demand-side employment data, which shows that labor markets have recovered beyond pre-COVID levels in both urban and rural areas.
PROGRESSIVE LABOUR REFORM MEASURES
In 2019 and 2020, India underwent a significant overhaul of its labor laws. 29 Central Labor Laws were consolidated, streamlined, and simplified into four comprehensive Labor Codes: the Code on Wages, the Industrial Relations Code, the Code on Social Security, and the Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code. These codes were implemented with the aim of providing clarity, ease of implementation, and uniformity in labor laws across the country.
The implementation of the codes has been entrusted to the Central Government, State Governments, and other appropriate authorities. As of December 13, 2022, 31 states have already released draft rules under the Code on Wages, 28 states under the Industrial Relations Code, 28 states under the Code on Social Security, and 26 states under the Occupational Safety Health and Working Conditions Code. This indicates that the states are taking a proactive approach to ensure the smooth implementation of the new labor laws.
The Code on Wages, 2019 focuses on wage-related issues and seeks to ensure timely payment of minimum wages to workers. The Industrial Relations Code, 2020 aims to regulate the relationship between employers and employees, providing a framework for the resolution of disputes and the regulation of strikes and lockouts. The Code on Social Security, 2020 aims to provide a comprehensive social security net to all workers, including the unorganized sector. The Occupational Safety, Health & Working Conditions Code, 2020 seeks to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for workers, providing them with necessary safety and health measures, and compensation in case of injury or death.
IMPROVING EMPLOYMENT TRENDS
The Indian labor market has made a remarkable comeback post the Covid-19 pandemic, with unemployment rates falling and labor force participation rates on the rise. This is a positive sign for the country’s economy and workforce.
As per the Usual Status in the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS), the Labour Force Participation Rate, Worker Population Ratio and unemployment rate in 2020-21 (July-June) showed improvement for both males and females in both rural and urban areas, compared to the previous years. The male Labour Force Participation Rate increased from 55.6% in 2018-19 to 57.5% in 2020-21, while the female Labour Force Participation Rate rose from 18.6% to 25.1%. The Rural Female Labour Force Participation Rate saw a significant increase from 19.7% in 2018-19 to 27.7% in 2020-21.
In terms of employment status, the share of self-employed workers increased and that of regular wage/salaried workers declined in 2020-21, as per the Economic Survey. The share of casual labor declined slightly, mainly due to the trend in rural areas. The agriculture sector saw a marginal rise in the share of workers engaged, while the share of workers in the manufacturing sector declined slightly. On the other hand, the construction sector saw an increase in its share of workers, while the trade, hotel and restaurant sectors saw a decline.
FEMALE LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION RATE: MEASUREMENT ISSUES
The Economic Survey of India highlights the measurement challenges in calculating the Female Labor Force Participation Rate (LFPR). The common perception that Indian women have a low LFPR misses the reality of working women who are integral to the economy of the household and the country. The survey design and content play a critical role in determining the final LFPR estimates, and this is more relevant for women than for men.
The survey emphasizes the need to broaden the measurement of work, which encompasses the whole universe of productive activities beyond employment, particularly for women. According to the latest International Labor Organization (ILO) standards, limiting productive work to labor force participation is narrow and only measures work as a market product. It does not account for the value of women’s unpaid domestic work, which can be seen as expenditure-saving work, such as collecting firewood, cooking, and tutoring children, and contributes significantly to the household’s standard of living.
The Survey recommends improved quantification of “work” through redesigned surveys to capture a more comprehensive measurement. However, there is still a significant scope to eliminate gender-based disadvantages and provide women with the freedom to join the labor market. Ecosystem services, such as affordable daycare, career counseling, lodging, and transportation, can further help unleash the gender dividend for inclusive and broad-based growth.
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