Quarterly Employment Survey (QES):
The Labour Bureau, Ministry of Labour and Employment released the results of the Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) for the First Quarter (FQ) of 2021 (April to June).
QES Survey:
- The Quarterly Employment Survey (QES) is part of the All-India Quarterly Establishment-based Employment Survey (AQEES).
- It covers establishments employing 10 or more workers in the organised segment in 9 sectors.
- The 9 sectors are Manufacturing, Construction, Trade, Transport, Education, Health, Accommodation and Restaurants, IT/BPO, Financial Service
- Objective: To enable the government to frame a “sound national policy on employment.”
- India ratified the International Labour Organization’s (ILO) Employment Policy Convention, 1964, in the year 1998, which requires the ratifying countries to implement “an active policy designed to promote full, productive and freely chosen employment.” India does not have a National Employment Policy (NEP) yet.
Highlights of QES 2021 Data:
- Shows a 29% increase in employment in nine sectors during the peak Covid-19 months of April-June 2021 over a base of 2013-14 (Sixth Economic Census – EC).
- There has been a decline in the share of female workers. From 31% in the 6th EC (2013) to 29% in QES (2021) data.
- Out of the 9 sectors, 7 sectors saw growth in employment while only 2 sectors (Trade, and Accomodation & Restaurants) saw a decline in employment figures.
- The IT/BPO sector saw the most growth of 152% during 2013-2021 period.
- Between 1998-2021, there has been an absolute increase in employment figures. Since 1998 (4th EC), the highest growth rate in employment (38%) was in the period 2005-2013.
- The simple growth rate of employment between 1998-2021 has been fluctuating, and not linear.
