In 2020, over12.2 crore professionals were rendered jobless owing to the pandemic. In 2021, according to the COVID-19 livelihoods survey released by the Azim Premji University, at least 20 per cent of those who lost their jobs are still unemployed.
However, with the slow easing of lockdown protocols, the rate of unemployment in the nation’s capital rose to 28.5 percent in October and November 2020 when compared to the 11.1 per cent in January and February last year, according to a Delhi government-commissioned survey evaluated by The Indian Express.
While the survey assessed both males and females across various age groups, the numbers when it came to women were alarming. According to the survey, the involvement of women in the total workforce, 83 per cent are unemployed. Of those, 16.6 per cent have graduated, 27.6 per cent have passed their 12th board exams, and 23.8 per cent have cleared their 10th standard boards. The survey states: “83.1% female respondents were out of labour force, while the female labour force participation rate (LFPR) was 16.9%, female work force participation rate (WPR) was 7.6% and the female unemployment rate (UR) was 54.7% during survey in October – November 2020.”
However, it is said that there will be a follow up on the survey to “understand why more than 80% of women in Delhi are unavailable for work”. The survey report a joint venture by the Delhi government and the Centre for Market Research and Social Development.
*Image for representational purposes only