Decent Work in India

Aims and Objective: To produce four research papers focused on the four pillars of decent work in the Indian context post-COVID-19.

Research Papers:

1. Employment Situation in India: Challenges for Achieving SDG Goals by Sarthi Acharya and Balwant Singh Mehta:

1. • Focus: Analyze the disjoint between the modern-growth economy and the vast low-skill labor force in India.
   • Challenges: Highlight the low aggregate labor productivity and the need to create 8-10 million remunerative jobs annually.
   • Policy Thrust: Propose policies to create better quality jobs to meet SDG-8 requirements.

2. Maintaining Labour Standards in India: Some Challenges and Approaches by Sarthi Acharya and Balwant Singh Mehta:

1. • Focus: Discuss India’s commitment to International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions and the formulation of laws tailored to the Indian labor environment.
   • Challenges: Present an overview of the labor situation in India, focusing on the legal framework and labor laws.
   • Approaches: Suggest methods to uphold labor standards in the context of decent work.

3. Social Protection for All: Challenges in India in the Aftermath of COVID-19 by Ravi Srivastava:

1. • Focus: Examine the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on informal workers in India and the existing social security gaps.
   • Challenges: Identify the need for more inclusive social protection efforts despite recent government initiatives.
   • Framework: Advocate for a rights-based framework to develop an inclusive social protection system.

4. Challenges of Social Dialogue in India in Times of Crisis and Pandemic by Sandhya S Iyer and Soumen Ghosh:

1. • Focus: Investigate the role of social dialogue in fostering good relations among government, employers, and workers.
   • Challenges: Explore the nature of social dialogue in India during crises like COVID-19, highlighting obstacles and necessary conditions for effective dialogue.
   • Policy Framework: Emphasize the need to center social dialogue in policy frameworks to prevent the marginalization of workers.

Summary:

The research papers collectively aim to assess the current state and challenges of decent work in India, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. They provide comprehensive insights and policy recommendations for improving employment quality, maintaining labor standards, enhancing social protection, and fostering effective social dialogue. The findings and recommendations are intended to guide efforts towards achieving decent work and meeting Sustainable Development Goals in India.