Informal Workers

The EPFO data is considered crucial as it reflects the state of the formal labour market. Only the formal workforce enjoys social security benefits and is protected by labour laws

Speedy implementation of labour codes, providing social security to informal workers, especially gig and platform, and bringing transformative policies would be the government's priority in 2025 to empower all and boost the economy. All 36 states and UTs are expected to complete harmonization and pre-publication of draft rules under the four labour codes by 31st March 2025, according to the labour ministry. The ministry has identified four reforms in labour laws to be carried out viz. Single Registration, Single Return, Firm-based common licence with five years validity. Talking to PTI, Union Minister of Labour & Employment and Youth Affairs & Sports Dr Mansukh Mandaviya stated: "As we stand at the dawn of a New Year, our commitment remains resolute -- building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready workforce for India." In 2024, "we achieved significant milestones in enhancing the IT systems of EPFO (Employees' Provident Fund Organisation) and ESIC (Employees' State ...

Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Friday alleged that demonetisation has led to monopolies by devastating the MSMEs and informal sector and India continues to use more cash today than eight years ago. His attack came on the eighth anniversary of demonetisation. On November 8, 2016, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced demonetisation in an address to the nation declaring that Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes would cease to be legal tender. One of the reasons cited by the government at that time was to promote the digital economy and reduce cash transactions to check corruption and black money. "India continues to use more cash today than 8 years ago when demonetisation was implemented. "DeMo paved the way for monopolies by devastating MSMEs and the informal sector," Gandhi said in a post on X. Incompetent and ill-intended policies that create an environment of fear for businesses will stifle India's economic potential, the former Congress chief said. "What is needed is

Unprotected labour sector: Cases of abuse against domestic workers in India continue to be a reality. What does this informal sector look like and what laws are in place to protect them?

Share of people younger than 25 in formal employment, as defined by EPFO additions, fell to 50.2% in 2023-24, from 68.9% in 2018-19

Efforts at providing robust data for unorganised sector, which plays an important role in livelihood and survival of the poor, has so far been half-hearted, producing no comparable evidence over time

The informal sector is not creating enough jobs

Unincorporated enterprises lost 1.8 mn establishments between Jun 2016 and Sep 2023, according to the 2 surveys

According to the World Bank data, at 2017 international prices, 44% of India's population spent less than $3.65 per day

According to the factsheet, the number of unincorporated enterprises rose by 2 million between July 2015-June 2016 and October 2022-September 2023 to 65.04 million

Tardy uniform wage implementation, health hazard plague workers

White collar hiring in India witnessed a 16 per cent decline in December compared to the year-ago period due to cautious hiring sentiments in IT, BPO, education, retail and healthcare sectors, a report said on Tuesday. "We observed marginal sequential growth of 2 per cent in December hiring activity compared to November, driven by non-IT sectors. However, the IT sector continued to be significantly impacted pulling the overall index down by 16 per cent against last year signalling a longer wait for a complete recovery in IT hiring," Naukri.com Chief Business Officer Pawan Goyal said analysing the Naukri JobSpeak Index. According to the Naukri JobSpeak Index, sectors like BPO, education, retail, and healthcare displayed cautious hiring sentiments, witnessing a year-on-year decline of 17 per cent, 11 per cent, 11 per cent and 10 per cent, respectively, in job offers in December. Hiring in the IT sector reflected the trend seen in the second half of 2023, the report noted. The sector

Latest PLFS shows unemployment rate fell to its lowest level of 3.2% in July-June 2022-23

Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation believes that the use of computer-based survey may expedite the results of the 2023-24 Annual Survey on Unincorporated Sector Enterprises

India's informal sector is a potent force for change and policymakers need to unlock its potential

Where the survey shows some progress is that, among regular wage earners, more people now have work contracts than two years ago

Claudia Goldin's work can guide India

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Thursday announced a one-time payment of Rs 5,000 for gig workers to purchase helmets, uniforms and other items of daily use when they register with the state government. The announcement will benefit delivery personnel working with companies such as Ola, Uber, Swiggy and Zomato, among others. "The gig workers will get Rs 5,000 as a one-time payment on registration," Gehlot said during a function to release the "Mission 2030" document in Jaipur. He also announced a 90 per cent fare exemption on Rajasthan Roadways buses for those with monthly passes. The government will also set up a ministerial employees directorate to handle all works related to ministry staff -- including promotions, transfers and postings -- in different departments, the chief minister announced.

Nuh violence: Those leaving the Millenium City include cab drivers, office peons and security staff

Findings from the report indicate that informal employees are prioritising factors such as prestige and career potential over wages today.