Economics Project - Employment
Economics Project - Employment
Certificate
index
Even for the employed, the possibilities of growth within their fields through promotions and
other perks looks bleaker due to a pause in the real wage growth
If we look at China’s growth story – they initially focused on industrial and secondary sector
jobs and then transitioned to the service sector however India seems to have skipped the
secondary sector (industrial phase) in favor of the service industry therefore China has fewer
cases of unemployment amongst the highly skilled and educated workforce
Some Statistics on the job market - As per Statista and goi data
This form of employment if not regulated can lead to severe loss of productivity amongst
the youth
Labour productivity is only at 3% due to underemployment and other factors like the
pandemic and low efficiency of the workforce
the city with the highest employability rate is not Mumbai, Delhi or Bangalore but Pune
ie if your living in Pune you have the highest chance of finding a job
Agriculture still takes up around 50% of India’s working population
Women make up only about 20% of formal sector employment and 40% of informal
1) The continued preference and search for the diminishing government jobs -
Why do people prefer government jobs in India? (we often see lakhs of people turn up for a
few hundred roles of low skilled jobs like peons in the government railways)
this could be due to several benefits like job security, lower stress, higher social status due to
working for the government
an image of a job mela offering fewer than 250 job positions attracting much more than the
necessary number of aspirants
The government must ensure increased spending in education especially secondary higher
education to prevent India’s semi-skilled workforce from entering their families tradional job
roles like farming
In more skilled fields there are shortage of workers whereas the low skill requirement jobs have
an excess of labour… it is the governments job to balance this by upskilling their citizens
Green technologies and the shift from traditional to modern industries will negatively impact
those resistant to change and those sticking to the sinking ship industries like coal, petroleum
and other repetitive and mechanical jobs will suffer whereas solar installations, engineers, etc
with a more dynamic work environment will flourish )
the value of a worker/employed individual will certainly increase many folds due to their
specializations in certain fields… currently employs are replaceable because they aren’t
specialized
Worker’s expectations - the stir for better pay, safe working conditions and other benefits will
intensify in the future and employers will be forced to treat their workers better
Impact of automation and ai
on the jobs
Contrary to popular beliefs ai will not and cannot replace all the jobs in the world… think of
how automation improved the quality of jobs instead of reducing the number of jobs
in the early 1800’s and before when over 90% of the population worked in agricultural
fields - there was rampant disease, low standard of living and several other problems
faced by the population and the economy.
With change occurring and the switch to industrialization and the advent of factories –
there certainly job losses in the agricultural sector and bad working conditions in the
factories however several other fields opened due to more free time in hand up which
resulted in advances in technology and medicine
The current shift service sector has seen an improvement in job safety and work
environment has resulted in advances in literature, culture and music
The advent of ai will further add quality to our lives opening it up to our passions and self-
discovery… no longer will most our lives be taken up working for others in repetitive and boring
tasks instead we will further see a shift towards the arts and people working for their own
passion where the quality of work factor taking up more importance than the quantity of it
Therefore we can draw the inference that whenever technology advances so does the number and
quality of jobs
Those who harness these changes and incorporate them are going to prosper… those who
resist and push back wont …there will be a need for massive reskilling of the populous
We will see job losses in repetitive and labourous industries like cost accountants, factory
workers, transcriptionists, retail etc.
Instead a rise in jobs which need higher skills and are more dynamic in nature –
management and consultancy, audit, science, music, marketing, etc.
The progress of innovation will accelerate due to more free time amongst the populous
Gig economy and freelancing-
challenges faced by the
everyday workers
Is it the future of work?
As employing full time can be an extensive labyrinth of paper work for companies and the employers
many feel that we may see a massive shift towards the freelancing and contractual work environments
As employees to are trending away from the traditional fixed employment is favor of a more flexible
work schedule, they must be made aware on the advantages and disadvantages of doing so
This trend has accelerated in the recent years, the number of freelancers in the formal and skilled jobs is
quickly catching up to the number of company registered employees and the number of casual labourers
in the service industry such as transportation, delivery, etc are already much more than their
counterparts in standard shifts
Gig workers, such as truckers, ride-share drivers, delivery personnel, freelancers, and other
independent contractors, face a variety of challenges that can affect their job stability, financial
security, and overall well-being. Here are some key challenges they encounter:
Lack of Job Security
- Irregular Income: Gig workers often face fluctuating earnings due to the inconsistent nature of
gig work. There are no guaranteed hours or pay.
Example – according to a survey conducted by vox news agency – many truck drivers in the usa
are earning over 200 k per annum… which is a dream salary for many however after deducting
fuel expenses and other expenses they were left with lesser $20k which is way lower than even
the minimum wage
- No Employment Protections: Unlike traditional employees, gig workers are not protected by
labor laws that guarantee minimum wage, overtime pay, or unemployment benefits.
Even in India very few employers reimburse their contractual delivery partners with their fuel
costs or health insurance for injuries during work
Lack of Benefits
- No Health Insurance: Most gig workers do not receive employer-sponsored health insurance,
( even for work related health expense) leaving them to find and fund their own plans, which can
be costly.
- No Paid Leave Gig workers typically do not have access to paid sick leave, vacation days, or
parental leave.
-High Risk of Injury Many gig jobs, such as trucking or delivery services, involve physical labor
and long hours, increasing the risk of accidents and injuries.
- Lack of Workers' Compensation: If a gig worker is injured on the job, they are often not
covered by workers' compensation insurance, making recovery periods financially burdensome.
- Classification Issues: Many gig workers are classified as independent contractors, which can
exclude them from many legal protections and benefits afforded to employees. There is ongoing
legal debate and varying regulations regarding this classification
Financial Instability
- Expense Management: Gig workers often bear the costs of equipment, maintenance, and other
work-related expenses. For example, truckers may need to pay for fuel, repairs, and insurance.
-Inconsistent Work Opportunities: Demand for gig work can vary, leading to periods of high
earnings followed by times with little to no income
- Social Isolation: Gig work, especially for long-haul truckers or remote freelancers, can be
solitary, leading to feelings of isolation and lack of community.
- Lack of Career Development: Gig workers often have limited access to professional
development opportunities, making it difficult to advance their careers.
Technology Dependency
- Algorithmic Control: Many gig workers rely on platforms that use algorithms to assign jobs
and determine pay. This can result in a lack of transparency and control over their work.
- Data Privacy Concerns: the more skilled it sector Gig workers may have concerns about how
their personal data is used and protected by the platforms they work for.
- Complex Tax Obligations Gig workers must manage their own tax filings, which can be
complex and challenging without employer withholding or benefits.
- Regulatory Compliance Navigating various local, state, and federal regulations can be difficult,
especially as laws continue to evolve around gig work.
Since many believe the future of work is freelancing and not sticking to a single company we
must take steps to improve the workers rights and secure our future in this industry
There was a bill introduced in Rajasthan where gig workers will receive improved job security
and benefits like a monthly wage, coverage of insurance and other conveniences
In amazon, the warehouse and the delivery workers have unionized demanding for better
treatment and working conditions
- Platform reforms to increase transparency and fairness in job assignment and compensation.
Example – namma yatri in Bengaluru is a platform that prioritizes the welfare of the auto driver.
It is an app made solely for them without a profit motive
- Educational resources to help gig workers manage finances and taxes effectively.
Understanding and addressing these challenges is crucial for ensuring that gig workers can
achieve a stable and sustainable livelihood.
Historical perspectives of
unemployment
1. The Great Recession (Late 2007 - Mid-2009):
o Context: The Great Recession was triggered by the global financial crisis
and had far-reaching effects on the US economy.
o Employment Impact:
Job losses were significant across the world especially in the
banking and finance sectors but interestingly, the burden shifted
from men to women during this recession. Who are classified as
vulnerable groups in employment
White workers fared better than other racial and ethnic groups.
Less educated workers experienced modestly worse outcomes
compared to more educated groups.
o Long-Term Effects: The Great Recession left scars, affecting not only
immediate employment but also long-term economic security for many 1.
2. COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown (2020):
o Context: The pandemic-induced lockdowns led to a sudden and severe
economic downturn.
Employment Impact:
Women bore the brunt of job losses during this period as they had
to revert to their traditional gender roles due to issues in the family
Minorities and economically backward sections were hit especially
hard.
Less educated workers suffered significantly worse employment
consequences than their more educated counterparts.
o Long-Term Implications: The pandemic’s effects on employment are
likely to reverberate for years, affecting income inequality and social well-
being1.
This could be seen in the 2008 crisis when the stock markets were at an
all time high and consumer spending was at its peak constantly creating
employment oppurtunities directly and indirectly
Policy Implications
1. Social Safety Nets:
o Effective safety nets are crucial during recessions to mitigate the impact
on vulnerable populations.
o Policies that provide unemployment benefits, job training, and support for
displaced workers can help stabilize employment outcomes.
2. Investment in Education and Reskilling:
o Focusing on education and skills development ensures that workers
remain adaptable in changing labor markets.
o Upskilling and reskilling programs can enhance employability and reduce
the severity of employment shocks.
It all boils down to replicability …Because even though many aspire to become or earn as much
as the top level managers, marketing, sales etc… their skill prevents their aspirations from
turning into competition to the more skilled workers..
There is more competition for the lower skilled jobs and hence the ordinary workers are
replaceable and unimportant to the company as a whole
The sales, developers, finance department related jobs are more lucrative, dynamic and essential
for overall functioning even though they do not create the main product for selling
Therefore we can conclude that a company assesses your job value by employing factors like –
1) No. of hours put in
2) The nature of your job
Is your job replaceable ? i.e. is there a lot of competition in your field ( are there people willing
to work more for less pay?
Coal mining, petroleum drilling, unskilled lower end goods manufacturing are dead or dying
industries that have either become obsolete or replaceable therefore they will be a drain on the
resources of the country and not yield results ( increased employment and quality of life)
Support msmes and the service sector as they provide for more high skilled jobs and gdp growth
than large companies that may end up creating a monopoly and unfairly treat their workers in the
future
Smaller companies can also be legislated easier by the government as they do not resist and push
back policies
Better curriculum should be taught in schools - digital literacy, vocational skills, soft skills
( communication , logical reasoning, disaster management , critical thinking skills, problem
solving ) and entrepreneurial mindset should be promoted
Reduce red tape and other regulations , simplify codes for more businesses to expand and thus
encouraging companies to expand and employee more people
Infrastructure upgrade, inclusivity and accessibility –there is no use of building good roads when
the toll so high most cant afford and use it or roads that lead to nowhere in particular
Necessary to bring down the cost of transport and internet to facilitate more exchange in ideas
goods thus reducing barrier to enter the market
Empower minorities and women to enter the workforce for self-reliance and maximizing the
growth of the economy and minimizing under and unemployment. This will also increase the
productivity of the economy
Paid Apprenticeship programs for the youth to educate themselves and gain experience on the
types of jobs in the field they have chosen… it increases their knowledge of the job thus making
them more competitive and efficient
Inclusive growth – accommodating for all sections of society to be included in the growth story
of the nation by not having high barriers to entry in the job market and not having discriminatory
policies in place
Improving credit access (steps should be taken to not let it spiral into a debt crisis as that will
reverse all progress made in increasing employment)
How big a role does educational
qualification play in the ability
to find a job
it’s well-known that the unemployment rate is negatively
correlated with educational attainment: The more educated
the workforce, the lower the unemployment rate
back in our parents days just a high school diploma ( 10 th or
12th pass certificate ) would have been the golden ticket to a
prosperous life with a stable job
But fast-forward to today’s interconnected, digitized world, and the bar has been hoisted sky-high.
Employers now crave candidates who not only wield specialized skills but also possess a deep
understanding of the world around them. Think of it as a quest for the mythical “unicorn” employee—
one who can code, communicate, and maybe even brew a decent cup of coffee
Well, artificial intelligence and machine learning have been busy automating traditional jobs, like
diligent little worker bees. Meanwhile, new roles sprout up like dandelions after a spring rain,
demanding higher education and tech-savviness. So, education isn’t just a ticket; it’s the backstage pass
to the concert of relevance
With technology everchanging it is up to the employee to always be adapting and changing to the
necessity
Challenges to job creation
businesses cant employee more people even if they want too because they want to maximize
short term profits instead of investing in and development and employee upskilling research
there are regulatory and policy barriers to hiring… the strict labour codes and laws make it hard
for a company to quickly hire an employee this disincentivizes them from hiring as it’s a tedious
expensive and a time consuming process with a lot of legal formalities to complete
the constant growth of the population – there simply isn’t enough jobs to go around for everyone
in the same field… well need diversification of the workforces abilities
the lack of capital with the government or the companies to employee so many people and
provide for their employment benefits
the lack of skillset amongst the populous – either there’s a lack of jobs for the skilled labour
force or there is an excess of competition for the unskilled labour force… it is up to the
government to properly upskill the people to balance the industry needs
lack of infrastructure make investment in a certain region not feasible for a company and thus
creates an economic void
informal sector and the issue of underemployment are issues that will have to be tackled in the
long term
Outsourcing of manufacturing and low skilled service sector jobs to the developing countries
helped create jobs and uplift the poor countries and reduced prices of commodities in rich
countries. Even companies could greatly enhance their profit margins
Many far away jobs now possible either from improved technology or transport ( Estonia has
digital nomad visas, UAE has similar incentives to attract skilled jobs
The global economy is on the upswing currently this increases the incomes of the people. when
people have more cash they spend it creating more jobs and thus starting a virtuous cycle
Exposure to global partners and colleagues makes people more inclusive and open minded
The transfer of technology has helped improve living standards globally especially in health and
allied sectors
However Brain drain is a problem seen in developing countries like India, the HNI and highly
educated people leaving the country in search of better opportunities and living conditions – this
negatively impacts innovation and gdp growth of our country
Wage inequality – corporations often take advantage of lax labour codes and desperation of the
impoverished people in poorer countries to pay them less and not provide for a safe work
environment . this has created several human rights issues around the world
Many countries now to preserve jobs and cater to local political demands are taking a more
conservative and protectionist approach towards globalization. This will reduce employment
generations world around, slow down the progress of innovation and increase conflicts in the
global markets
Big industries manufactured capital intensive goods instead of labour intensive consumer goods
Due to the lack of capital and the excess of labour many economists today believe that the
planning was inadequate to take into the needs of the labour market
the Great leap forward and Mao Zedong’s communist approach to job generation began in 1958
and aimed at an industry driven approach to growth and employment instead of the capitalists
service based approach
land reforms and redistribution from the landlords to the peasants caused the fragmentation of
land… although this increased the possibilities for self employment, labour and land productivity
took a severe hit
State sponsored jobs in factories too were lacking productivity - there was once a job to count the
number of screws in a factory!
Even though this system was severely inefficient – they believed that once a person was
employed he will seek education for himself and his family, thus starting a virtuous cycle
This was known as the bitter decade that caused several human rights abuses, famines, forced
collectivization and backyard steel furnaces to deal with the ambitious and unrealistic targets set
by the regime
Den Xiaoping recognized the inefficiencies and flaws in Mao’s misguided approach and opened
up the economy and allowed American companies to invest and encourage FDI
This was known as socialism with realistic Chinese characteristics, central planning was ended
and federalism was given a big boost by distributing powers to the local government… market
forces were also allowed to control the economy
High quality jobs that boosted the economy and living standard
When economies expand ppl spend more, spending drives up demand therefore for supply to
catch up more investment and jobs are created… this starts a virtuous cycle
Developed countries have a shift in job types from less tech intensive to more tech intensive..,
they are characterized by more innovation and upskilling
Emerging economies however have job creation when ppl are added into a labour force and not
shifted around within it
Today China is a leading world economy that is pioneering technological advancements and
improvements in living standards. They are also extending their prosperity across the globe
through projects like the belt and road initiative
Like a seasoned chess player, China is strategizing for the future. It grapples with
an aging population and a decreasing working-age cohort. As more people retire,
the challenge lies in maintaining a productive workforce.
However most of the high skilled jobs are centered around the SEZs near the coast. This is
causing mass migration from the country side to the coast and putting a lot of burden on the local
infrastructure and environment
Improving productivity
can counter intuitive options like increasing wages and lowering working hours actually help?
A pew survey conducted in 30 countries with 50000+ respondents found that the most favorable
and cost efficient way to improving productivity in the workplace is by simply cutting down the
number of meetings and conferences
Case study of Norway.
They reduced 5 day workweek to a 4 day workweek with the daily work hours remaining
constant at 8 hours
This policy is now being implemented across several liberal eu economies and some American
states. Data shows significant increase in productivity and public spending. People are more
happier and satisfied with their jobs
Even companies like this! – google introduced a pilot program to test it in their workforce . it
was a resounding success that was supported by many of their workers
How bad will a 70 hour work week be?
It will lead to Exhaustion, burnout, mental and physical health issues and several psycological
consumer issues that may ground the global economy by people reducing spending due to falling
employee satisfaction
We may see more sick leaves and the whole system will end up being counterproductive
reducing the overall productivity of the workforce
In 2022, the labor productivity growth rate in India was 2.53% percent. This was a decrease from
growth rate recorded in 2020. Labor productivity measures hourly output of a country's
economy, and its growth is based on human capital, saving and investing in physical capital and
the use of new technology
The average german worker provides for around $70 of monetary value per hour of work
Average American - $28
Average Indian – only $9
This mean that the average german worker is much more productive and valuable compared to
the average Indian worker due to their skills and education
Labour productivity of India started taking a hit even before the pandemic
Passion jobs
Is it feasible for the long run?
Today were witnessing a shift in the nature of jobs, as mechanical jobs are getting taken over by
machines and ai were turning towards more dynamic jobs
Today it is quite feasible to make a living infact even make a lot of money from pursuing your
passion. Were seeing a whole new concept of passionaries or passionpreneurs where people
choose the field their interested in or want to make a difference in
The power of branding and the impression others have of your results can make or break your
career, the pressure to network and market your skill is even higher than having a normal job or a
gig… for many such jobs can be stressful or hard
Example – a politician may really want to change the way their nation functions however there is
no fixed way to achieve his goal. He will have to put in a lot more hard work into connecting
with the grassroots and conveying his ideas.
Same goes for a musician. Compared to a job the beginning stage of pursuing the passion is very
hard however later on the hard work really pays off
People in these sectors are often surveyed to have higher feelings of anxiety for their financial
condition and are the first to the take the hit in case of financial instability
The online presence can attract ad revenue and other sponsorship deals from big companies - eg
influencers in Facebook, Instagram and Youtube can make it big with views and ad money
Views to earning ratio can differ with different platforms and come with several riders attached
to it
Example – Tiktok in the USA and Europe has been accused of underpaying its creators. The
issue arose when despite the incorporation of ads and paid subscriptions, the content creators
were not getting their due pay from Tiktok or the advertisers
Youtube in India is more transparent allowing the content creators to get their right to
information with a dedicated website for online footprint tracking (creators can check several
stats on this website including the number of views and the money they can collect from
advertisements
1. Eligibility:
o To join the Creator Fund, creators need at least 100,000 authentic video views in the
last 30 days1.
o Previously called the Creator Fund, youtube has now introduced an improved fund
known as the Creativity Program.
2. Monetization Opportunities:
o The Creator Fund provides eligible creators with additional ways to earn money based
on their content’s performance.
o Creators can receive financial rewards directly from youtuber for their engaging videos.
4. How It Works:
o Creators receive payments based on their video views and engagement.
o The more views and interaction a video gets, the higher the potential earnings.
In summary, YouTube Creator Fund aims to reward content creators for their contributions to the
platform, fostering a vibrant community of engaging videos! 🎥💰
Until you hit the 4000 subscriber threshold youtube can put adverts on your account without
paying you
QUESTIONAIRE
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Bibliography -
Statista.com surveys on employment and their inferences
Wikipedia.org
Financial times
Sbi.com/web – picture
Business today
Asian studies.com
The Smithsonian
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