Question : Gig Economy

(a)whether the Government has taken cognizance of the growing gig economy in the country and its role in increasing women participation in the economy and if so, the details thereof;
(b)whether the Government plans to introduce/has regulations or any other measures in place to promote gig economy to tackle unemployment and if so, the details thereof;
(c)whether the Government plans to introduce freelancing for government projects in the future and if so, the details thereof; and
(d)whether the Government is considering opening a freelancing/gig economy portal for freelancers to find government time-based project thereon and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (d): The Government do not have any specific data on gig economy and freelancing projects. However, employment generation coupled with improving employability is a priority concern of the Government. Further, Government has taken various steps for generating employment in the country like encouraging private sector economy, fast tracking various projects involving substantial investment and increasing public expenditure on schemes like Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) run by the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises, Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) and Pt.
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Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY) schemes run by the Ministry of Rural Development and Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) run by the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs.
The Make in India, Skill India, Digital India schemes are being implemented by the Government and these are likely to enhance the employment base. MUDRA and START UP schemes are also initiated by the Government for facilitating self-employment.
Government has also implemented the National Career Service (NCS) Project which comprises of a digital portal that provides a nation-wide online platform for jobseekers and employers for job matching in a dynamic, efficient and responsive manner and has a repository of career content.

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