Question : Job Loss during Covid-19

(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?

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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