(a) whether it is a fact that a large number of workers/labourers have become unemployed on account of closure of their establishments due to impact of demonetisation and GST;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether these labourers are still waiting for getting jobs in the market, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to provide employment opportunities to such labourers in the country?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) to (d): There is no data available on unemployment subsequent to the period of demonetisation. However, Government has taken various steps for generating employment in the country like encouraging private sector of economy, fast-tracking 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. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana(DDU-GKY) and Deendyal Antodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM).
Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY) has been launched by the Ministry of Labour and Employment for incentivising employers for promoting employment generation. Under this scheme, Government is paying entire employer’s contribution (12% or as admissible) towards EPF and EPS for all eligible new employees for all sectors for 3 years. Till 21-01-2019, the scheme covered 1,28,501 establishments and 1.05 crore beneficiaries.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY) has been initiated by Government inter alia for facilitating self-employment. Under PMMY collateral free loans uptoRs. 10 lakh, are extended to small/micro business enterprises and to individuals to enable them to setup or expand their business activities. Till 25th January, 2019, total 15.59 crore loans have been sanctioned under the scheme.
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal VikasYojana (PMKVY) is the flagship scheme of the Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship (MSDE). The objective of this Skill Certification Scheme is to enable a large number of Indian youth to take up industry-relevant skill training that will help them in securing a better livelihood.
Moreover, Government has been taking various steps to boost industrial development, capital formation and employment generation in the country like Make in India, Startup India and Ease of Doing Business initiatives. Government has initiated labour reforms to create an enabling environment to facilitate ease of doing business, ease of compliance, transparency, accountability and extending the social security coverage for the unorganised workers.
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