Thematic Research

While women constitute about 50% of the population and play an important part in rural and urban economy, a major challenge faced by women is the declining rate of labour force participation rates of women. This has posed a challenge to researchers and policy makers on addressing this challenge. Both gender factors such as physical restrictions on mobility, social norms on economic participation of women, cultural factors of looking at women as unequal, low opportunities given for decision making and economic factors such as lower thrust provided to enterprises which generate female employment are factors which have resulted in low women employment. ILRT undertakes research to understand the specific challenges for employment and unemployment of women as well as factors for promoting their employment. ILRT has undertaken a number of studies related to SHG women and their potential in enhancing the economic participation of women.

India is considered to be a young nation. Its average age is 29 years. 50% of its population is below 25 years and 65% below 35. The higher proportion of youth is expected to provide the benefits of demographic dividend. However, a major challenge faced is low level of employment generation taking place in the country. This is preventing absorption of youth workforce into employment and self-employment. Promotion of youth employment assumes a major importance. In this regard, ILRT has undertaken a number of studies in the past to identify scope for skilled employment and self-employment for youth. Recommendations for strengthening youth employment based on assessment of youth aspirations, industrial and work opportunities in the area has been undertaken.

The tribal population in India is about 10.2 crores. Despite the multiple schemes and policies of the state, the tribal population continues to be deprived of proper livelihoods. ILRT has undertaken a number of studies related to livelihoods of tribal communities particularly in relation to opportunities through non-timber forest produce, horticulture, agriculture, skilled employment & entrepreneurship. The more marginal segments within the tribal communities such as particularly vulnerable tribal groups (PVTGs) has also been studied.

The rural poor may include farmers, agri and non-agri labour. The informal nature of Indian economy prevents the rural workers to benefit from decent work. Efforts in formalisation of the workers include development of collectives such as farmer producer organizations, producer groups, self help groups etc. ILRT undertakes studies on rural poor in the larger context of addressing the conditions of rural poor through producer collectives. Similar studies on FPOs, SHG federations and SHGs have been taken up in the past.

It is expected that urban poor in India would be 600 million (40%) by 2031. In 2018, Urban India has an estimated 161 Million workers. Of this 129.4 Million are in informal sector. The major constituents of urban informal sector include Home-based workers (53.7 Million), Street-vendors (29.5 Million), Domestic workers (27.7 Million), Waste pickers (4.8 Millions), Construction workers (14.2 Million) and others. Each of these segments, has its own specific challenges. ILRT conducts research to understand the challenges of these specific segments and explore possibilities for potential solutions.

India has an estimated 45.36 crore internal migrants. About 12% of these is considered to be inter-state movements. Despite internal state migrant act, India faces the challenge migrants. The internal migrants are engaged as construction workers, daily wage labourers, street vendors, domestic workers in cities. In destination states they lack of proper access to food, housing, sanitation, health, education, transportation services. Despite their contribution to urban areas, they lack social security to employment and decent working conditions. ILRT conducts research on migrant issues. These could be inter-state migrants, intra district migrants or intra-state migrants.

Donor and implementation agencies do require some specialised studies on livelihood situation in a district. These studies are based on analysis of macro-database on livelihoods in the districts, interaction with the sectoral experts and sectoral players and discussions with the community and community collectives. A two phase studies are undertaken. The initial phase captures all possible livelihood opportunities in the district. Based on low potential, medium potential and high potential sectors, detailed livelihood studies are taken up in identified sectors and subsectors in second phase. The district livelihood studies provides a clear indication to agencies on livelihoods to be focused on in the identified geography. ILRT had undertaken similar district level livelihood studies in the past in Gaya (Bihar), Bastar (Chhattisgarh), Mandla (Madhya Pradesh), Doha (Jammu & Kashmir), Sidhi (Madhya Pradesh) and various districts in Meghalaya. Similar studies were conducted at Block level at Murtizapur (Maharashtra) and village level at Nelaturu, Musunurvaripalem and Mamidipudi villages in Muthukur mandal of Andhra Pradesh.