Even before the Covid-19 crisis, India had been experiencing slower economic growth and rising unemployment – problems that were dramatically worsened by the pandemic and the ensuing lockdown. The number of workers vulnerable to the lockdown could reach 364 million or more, including those in casual work, self-employment and unprotected regular jobs (lacking social protection coverage). These workers could face cuts in working hours, layoffs, furloughs and reductions in incomes, and for some, this could continue beyond the lockdown. Building on the stimulus packages and other policy responses, economic recovery will require a strategy that restores jobs and supports incomes of both enterprises and workers – re-establishing supply lines and building back demand, while protecting the health, rights and incomes of workers and their families, especially for migrant workers and those in the informal economy. This rapid assessment analysis the impact of the COVID crisis on employment and examines policy responses in India, due to it.

Though up to date labour force survey data is not available, the assessment takes into consideration various available data sources.