PROBLEMS OF EMPLOYMENT DURING COVID-19 WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO INFORMAL SECTOR IN INDIA: A QUALITATIVE ENQUIRY

An qualitative enquiry has been made to find out the employment vulnerability in rural and urban informal economy of India. Focus is also given on government responses towards it. The analysis is presented in four parts. Firstly an overview of Indian formal sector is presented followed by covid-19 pandemic impact on both rural and urban informal economy of the country. The study period is taken from 24th March 2020 to 31st July. The informal sector is going through a very tough stage due to this pandemic. As the unorganized sector in India accounts for 93% of the workforce. Fall down in economic activities have pushed the works into the trap of poverty. Workers like daily wage earners, household-helps, MGNREGA workers etc. are severely affected. Government policy responses may help in short-run but may not be effective in the long-run. In the area of labour economics ,the study will be helpful. It can provide information separately for rural and urban informal economy and may help in policy designing.