Question : STATUS OF LABOUR

(a) whether labour shortage, not job loss slows employment rate especially during the recession period;

(b) if so, the impact of such recession in the country during the last three years including Haryana;

(c) whether the methodology evolved by the periodic labour force survey enabled the Government in changing the employment status of the labour force in the country;

(d) whether Indian economy loss out due to a far less educated general labour force than countries like China; and

(e) if so, the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT(SHRI MALLIKARJUN KHARGE)

(a) Reliable estimates of employment and unemployment are obtained through quinqunnial Labour Force Surveys conducted by National Sample Survey Office. Last such survey was conducted during 2009-10. The results of two most recent surveys reveal that employment rate (Worker Population Ratio) estimated on usual status has decelerated to 39.2 per cent in 2009-10 from 42.00 per cent in 2004-05. The slowdown in employment rate during 2004-05 to 2009-2010 might be due to increasing participation of population in education and increased income of workers over the years.

(b) No comprehensive survey to assess the impact of recession on employment has been conducted. However, Labour Bureau under Ministry of Labour & Employment has been conducting “Quarterly Quick Employment Surveys” starting from October, 2008 to assess the impact of economic slowdown in India. The last such survey for which the results are available, was conducted during January – March, 2011. The results have shown that the employment at overall level has increased by 18.28 lakh during this period. State-wise data are not maintained by Ministry of Labour & Employment.

(c) Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour & Employment is conducting quarterly employment surveys on effect of economic slowdown on employment since Oct, 2008. The scope of survey is limited to selected 8 sectors, viz. Mining, Textile & Textile Garments, Metals & Metal Products, Automobile, Gems & Jewellery, Construction, Transport and IT/BPO to study the job loss as a result of economic slowdown in the country. The surveys provide sector wise employment changes over quarters.

(d) & (e) No, Madam. The coordinated Action Plan for Skill Development has set a target of 500 million skilled persons by the year 2022, and all concerned Ministries and Departments have been mandated to undertake skill development programmes accordingly. All the Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) are being modernized. New Govt. and Private ITIs and Industrial Training Centers (ITCs) are being setup to augment training capacity. A new scheme, titled Skill Development Initiative has been started to train one million persons in five years and then one million every year in short term modular employable skills.