Last Updated on April 12, 2024 by Team THIP
Quick Take
An extensively shared post prompts concerns about the state of employment in India. We examined the claim and found that it is only Half True.
The Claim
A widely seen post on the social networking platform X carries the caption, “Nobody cares in #India.” This post highlights the nation’s growing unemployment rate and casts doubt on the government’s efforts to address this issue.
Fact Check
What is the International Labour Organisation? What are the primary goals it seeks to achieve?
The League of Nations and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) were established in 1919 as the outcome of the Treaty of Versailles. ILO is the organisation of the United Nations dedicated to promoting social justice, universally recognised labour, and human rights. The ILO has its secretariat, publishing house, research centre, and operational headquarters located in Geneva.
With its unique tripartite structure, distinctive to the UN, the ILO offers representatives of employers and employees, also known as economic social partners, an equal say in shaping policies and employment processes. To ensure that everyone has access to decent work, the organisation is responsible for developing labour standards, drafting rules, and providing technical assistance. This tripartism subsequently fosters a social discourse between employers and trade unions within its member states.
Does the ILO Report cast doubt on India’s employment prospects?
To some extent. The International Labour Organisation released its report, World Employment and Social Outlook Trends, on January 10, 2024.
It is important to note that the ILO 2024 assessed the complicated global employment landscape. According to the estimate, the global unemployment rate in 2024 is expected to be 5.2%, slightly higher than the 5.1% rate the year before. Nonetheless, the estimate highlights the disparities in poverty and unemployment rates between nations with higher and lower incomes. This highlights the indisputable fact that higher-income nations ought to close the employment gap faster than low- and middle-income nations. Moreover, the report highlights how the economic recovery following the pandemic has become a challenge for every nation.
The ILO report sheds light on the challenging employment situation in India. The primary cause is the growing discrepancy between the skill sets that employers are looking for and the skills that job seekers themselves possess.
India suffers not only from a lack of skills but also from gender differences in the workforce. The report states that there are more young Indian men working globally than there are young Indian women. It does, however, highlight the fact that although there is a major employment structural change in India, there is still a necessity to take focused measures to improve workplace equality.
Although the ILO report is a trustworthy source of guidance, it should be underlined that it is not the sole variable used to define a country’s employment situation. The two principal causes of this are as follows:
First, employment policies in India have been created with the demands of the country in mind. Policymakers need to take the growing population into account since it directly affects general education and skill development. Additional challenges come from the seasonal nature of jobs in rural areas and the decline of small-scale industries. Considering India is a country with many languages, religions, and climates, it should be emphasised that these factors can influence occupational mobility and the regional distribution of jobs.
The second and crucial reason is that, despite such challenges, India’s employment regulations are getting stronger. India’s rapid and strong economic expansion has been vital in boosting skill development, labour productivity, and job possibilities.
The Indian government has also employed a variety of strategies to encourage employment opportunities across the nation. These include building infrastructure, boosting domestic manufacturing through initiatives like “Make in India,” integrating digital government services through Digital India, and fostering growth in the private sector and entrepreneurship.
Although the ILO report offers factual information about India’s employment situation, it is crucial to draw attention to the challenges policymakers face and the measures they have taken to address them.
What initiatives the Indian government implemented to provide employment opportunities?
The Indian government has taken a number of steps to combat unemployment. It should be noted that in order to offer chances for employment and economic empowerment, these initiatives target a variety of demographic groups and span a wide range of industries.
One of the significant initiatives is the Atmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY), which primarily offers financial assistance to enterprises to hire fresh employees. The Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) promotes the establishment of microbusinesses, thereby bolstering self-employment and entrepreneurship. The government also unveiled NCS or the National Career Service, an automated employment search engine. This portal offers career counselling, skill development, job matching, and vocational training services to enhance employability Act.
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act offers 100 days of paid employment to rural households that helps them address their economic needs. Businesses are offered incentives by the Pradhan Mantri Rojgar Protsahan Yojana (PMRPY) to hire additional employees. The scheme would assist in paying for a percentage of the new hires’ Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) and employee provident fund (EPF) who have joined through the ESI subscriber contributions. Another important initiative that deserves attention is the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM), which ensures the financial security of unorganised workers as they age.
We have been diligently providing factual information about mental health issues, including anxiety. These include the distinction between stress and anxiety as well as the role of nutrition and therapy in managing anxiety.
Disclaimer: Medical Science is an ever evolving field. We strive to keep this page updated. In case you notice any discrepancy in the content, please inform us at [email protected]. You can futher read our Correction Policy here. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment because of something you have read on or accessed through this website or it's social media channels. Read our Full Disclaimer Here for further information.
