The reports released on 26th March, 2024 by ILO ( International Labour Organization ) and IHO( Institute of Human Development ) says the employment situation in India has slipped to a record high. For example, unemployed youth in India has almost doubled from 35.2% in 2000 to 65.7% in 2022.

The report further says that youngsters account for 83% of India’s unemployed workforce. The educated youngsters experienced much higher levels of unemployment during the period.

Also, almost 90% of workers remain engaged in informal work, while the share of regular work, which steadily increased after 2000, declined after 2018.

There are widespread livlihood insecurities with only a small percentage being covered with social protection measures, precisely in the non-agriculture, organised sector. Worse, there has been a rise in contractualisation, with only a small percentage of regular workers covered by long-term contracts, the report said.

The lack of quality employment opportunities reflected in the high level of joblessness among young people, especially those who have achieved higher education

The country is also facing the challenges of a substantial gender gap in the labour market, with low rates of female labour force participation, the report said.

Throwing light to the growing inequalities, the report said despite tall claims of affirmative action, the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes still lag in terms of access to better jobs. They continue to be engaged in low paid temporary casual wage work and informal employment. Despite improvement in educational attainment among all groups, the hierarchy within social groups persists, the report added.

( source : The Hindu )

Let us realise the realities under Modi government, who came to power promising 2 crore jobs every year.