Evidence-based and inclusive policy responses is the need of the hour
Opening remarks by Ms Walter Dagmar, Director, ILO DWT South Asia and India at the webinar on ‘Implications of the Covid-19 Crisis for Labour and Employment in India: Impact, Strategies and Perspectives’.
- Namaskar and Good afternoon!
- Director Alakh Sharma
- Professor Deepak Nayyar
- Prof Dev Nathan
- Professor Garry Rogers
- Other Dignitaries and speakers
- Dear audience, colleagues and friends
I am happy that the ILO jointly with Institute of Human Development and the Indian Society of Labour Economics have been able to organize a conference on this topic, at this critical juncture when the country is gradually phasing out lock-down and slowly resuming economic activities.
ILO was quick to recognize that the COVID-19 pandemic is not just a health crisis, but would trigger a severe economic and labour market crisis. The crisis has affected quantity of jobs, quality of employment and has put already vulnerable groups at further risk – depriving them of their livelihoods.
The ILO is actively identifying the impact of the pandemic on the labour markets as well as the specific sectors and categories of workers through its series of COVID-19 and World of Work Monitors, published every 2-3 weeks. We are working closely with the constituents in planning and implementing the response to this crisis, striving to enhancing capacities.
As part of the implementation of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Framework 2018-22 in India, ILO is lead coordinator for the pillar on, ‘Skilling, job creation, and entrepreneurship’, It contributes to the One UN response, including interaction with ILO social partners to develop better understanding of ground realities, and strives to support the country addressing the health, humanitarian aspects and socio-economic challenges, in the short term but firmly keeping the 2030 SDG Agenda firmly in mind.
At the beginning, country responses to COVID-19 were focused towards ensuring access to health services and safety measures for populations. Now we are witnessing the shift of policy responses towards socio-economic recovery from the impact of the pandemic and associated lock-downs.
In many ways therefore this conference is very timely. The exchanges and reflections in these 2-days among eminent labour experts, will enrich our knowledge and insights, for informed contribution in policy discussions. Formulation of evidence-based and inclusive policy responses is the need of the hour.
This conference will largely discuss the impact and strategies for dealing with COVID-19 from social and economic perspectives, including deep diving into impact on specific sectors and vulnerable groups in India. The discussions will further reflect on international experiences on how to deal with employment, social protection and economic strategies, also to learn from other places. Lastly, it would reflect on the emerging employment scenarios and on the way forward – to visualise how the Future of Work in India will emerge.
I am enthused with the list of speakers for this conference, which includes eminent scholars and known intellectuals. It is an honour for us to have your participation at this virtual conference.
We consider the Institute of Human Development and the Indian Society for Labour Economics as ideal partners for organizing this conference as both share the vision of the ILO for a human-centred world of work with improved decent work and social justice outcomes.
I wish to thank you, the audience again, for encouraging us with your participation. I request you to engage in this conference through available mediums and disseminate your learnings further.