IMPRI Team
Employment is the source of growth of the nation. The drastic recession of the country during the Covid 19 phase has taken employment to nadir. Employment is the need of the hour as the unemployed workforce is downfall productivity of the nation. The rising population should ensure rising demand and thus, an increase in supply and employment. But this phase of falling employment with rising population and stagnant demand is a spiral that would continue if not handled with an effective and efficient policy.
In order to tackle the complexities of unemployment while charting out ideas for creating an employment hub nation, the Center for Work and Welfare(CWW) at IMPRI Impact and Policy Research Institute, New Delhi, organized an online discussion on The Need for a National Employment Policy the state of employment and Livelihood– #Employment Debate series on 12 August 2021.
Shrinking Policy Space
Prof Vinoj Abraham discussed that earlier governments (central and state) were focusing on demand-side policies and then they shifted to supply-side policies. But, now states are drifting from supply-side policies as well and are focusing on labor markets. He emphasized the need of focusing on the labor markets as this would allow equilibrium and eliminate the mismatch between the market of supply and demand of labor and thus employment. Capitalism and labor collusion have led to shrinking policies by state governments in the employment areas.
Employment v/s Livelihood
“Are we worried about employment or are we worried about livelihood?” asked Prof Vinoj Abraham.
He emphasized the need for having employment policies for not only those who are working but also, literate unemployed population.
The third aspect Prof Vinoj Brought was employability. There is a need for lifelong learning skills by the working population.
