Weakened markets and poor job situation have started reflecting in the employment data of the Congress-led UPA Government. Recent employment survey conducted by the Centre shows that between 2004-05 and 2009-10, the proportion of employed males above 15 years saw a dip by three percentage points for class 1 cities, 2 percentage points for size class 2 and 3 towns each.
During the same period, employment among women saw a decline by 3 percentage points in class 1 cities, 4 percentage points for size class 2 towns and 7 percentage points for size class 3 towns.
Class 1 cities are those with a population of above one million, class 2 towns are defined as those with population of 50,000 to one million and class 3 towns with population less than 50,000.
The eighth quinquennial (five-yearly) survey on employment and unemployment conducted in the 66th round of National Sample Survey (NSS) by the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation during July 2009 to June 2010, was spread over 7,402 villages and 5,252 urban blocks covering 1, 00,957 households (59,129 in rural areas and 41,828 in urban areas). It covered 4, 59,784 persons (2, 81,327 in rural areas and 1, 78,457 in urban areas).
The survey showed that about 73 per cent men in Class I cities and 74 per cent in Class 2 towns and 76 per cent in size class 3 towns are employed. As compared to men, only 17 per cent for class 1 cities, 18 per cent for size class 2 towns and nearly 21 per cent for size class 3 towns are employed.
Salaried employees — both men and women — was higher than self-employed persons or casual labourers in class 1 cities and size class 2 towns. For size class 3 towns, proportion of self-employed was higher than salaried employees and casual labourers for both.