25 lakh jobs created in labour intensive sectors: Govt

"According to the survey results, overall estimated employment in all selected sectors has experienced a net addition of 25.84 lakh from the first survey (October, 2008 to December, 2008) to the 13th survey (October, 2011 to December, 2011)," Labour and Employment Mallikarjun Kharge said during Question Hour.

He said the government has been continuously assessing the effect of global economic slowdown on employment situation in India since 2008.

The Labour Bureau conducts quarterly quick employment surveys in selected labour intensive and export oriented sectors like textiles, metals, gems and jewellery, automobiles, transport, IT/BPO, leather and handloom/powerloom.

As per the 13th survey covering October, 2011 - December, 2011, Kharge said that at the overall level, employment is estimated to have increased by 2.26 lakh during this period.

"At the industry level, the maximum increase is observed in the IT/BPO sector where employment is estimated to have increased by 1.09 lakh," he said.

As far as direct and contract category of workers are concerned, he said, the employment is estimated to have increased by 1.94 lakh and 0.32 lakh, respectively, during the period. In exporting units, the increase is estimated at 2.67 lakh at the overall level.

The minister said the data collected under quick surveys were intended to estimate the effect of global economic slowdown on employment in the country.

On shortage of labour, he said it was due to programmes like MNREGA. PTI NKD

SMI