(a) whether unemployment has increased in the country due to slow industrial
development,closure of industrial units and global economic recession;
(b) if so,the details thereof and the reaction of the Government thereto
silongwith the number of jobs lost during the current year;and
(c) the remedial measures taken by the Government to safeguard the interests of the workforce?
MINISTER OF THE STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI OSCAR FERNANDES)
(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the Table of the House,.
STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.224 BY
SHRI C.K.CHANDRAPPAN AMD SHRI G.M.SIDDESWARA REGARDING DECLINE IN JOB OPPORTUNITIES FOR REPLY
ON 15TH DECEMBER,2008.
(a) & (b): No exhaustive survey/study has been conducted regarding increase of unemployment
due to slow industrial development,closure of industrial units and global economic recession.
However,a sample study conducted (for the period August-October,2008) by Department of Commerce
for 121 export related companies belonging to several sectors;primarily employment oriented
sectors like Textiles including Garments,Leather,Engineering,Gems & Jewellery,Handicrafts,Food
and Food Processing,Minerals,Marine Products revealed loss in Export Orders to the tune of Rs.
1792 Crores and loss of jobs of around 65,500.
(c): Government is concerned about the impact of global financial crisis on the Indian economy
and several measures financial and fiscal have been initiated to instil confidence in the economy,
spur growth and overcome crisis.Some of the important steps relate to RBI measures to enhance
liquidity in the market and an economic package by the Government of India,mainly comprising
additional spending, interest subvention and excise duty cuts. These measures will prevent large
scale job losses.
In order to provide a social safety net, with effect from 01.04.2005,the Employees` State
Insurance Corporation has introduced `Rajiv Gandhi Shramik Kalyan Yojana`.Under the scheme,
employees who lose their employment due to retrenchment, closure of factories/establishments
or permanent invalidity due to non-employment injury, after being insured for five or more
years, are entitled to Unemployment Allowance in cash equal to 50% of their wage upto 6 months
during his/her entire service. In addition, he and his family members are also entitled to
medical care.