“Explore India’s strides in Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) – sustained economic growth, employment creation, and decent work for all. Discover policies, programs, and challenges as India works towards achieving these goals.”
Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) is focused on promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. India has made significant progress towards achieving this goal since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015.
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India’s Approach to Economic Growth
India has been one of the fastest-growing economies in the world over the past few decades, with an average annual GDP growth rate of around 7%. The Indian government has implemented several policies and programs to promote economic growth, including the Make in India program, which aims to promote manufacturing and attract foreign investment.
The government has also implemented policies to promote entrepreneurship and innovation, such as the Startup India program, which provides funding, mentorship, and other support to startups. The Digital India program aims to promote the use of technology in various sectors of the economy, including agriculture, healthcare, and education.
India’s Approach to Employment
India has a large and diverse workforce, with around 500 million people employed in various sectors of the economy. The Indian government has implemented policies and programs to promote employment and create job opportunities, including the Skill India program, which aims to provide skills training to millions of young people.
The government has also implemented several employment generation schemes, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), which guarantees 100 days of employment to rural households. The government has also launched the Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), which provides loans to small businesses and entrepreneurs.
India’s Approach to Decent Work
India has made significant progress in promoting decent work and ensuring that workers have access to social protection and other benefits. The government has implemented several labor laws and regulations to protect workers’ rights, including laws related to minimum wages, working conditions, and social security.
The government has also launched several social security schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), which provides insurance coverage to people in the informal sector, and the Atal Pension Yojana (APY), which provides pension benefits to workers in the unorganized sector.
India’s Approach to Forced Labor and Child Labor
Forced labor and child labor are significant issues in India, especially in sectors such as agriculture, domestic work, and small-scale industries. The Indian government has implemented several policies and programs to address these issues, including the Bonded Labor System (Abolition) Act, which prohibits bonded labor, and the Child Labor (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, which prohibits the employment of children under the age of 14 in all occupations and processes.
The government has also launched the National Child Labor Project, which aims to withdraw children from hazardous work and provide them with education and training. The government has also implemented the Ujjwala Yojana, which provides LPG connections to households below the poverty line, which has helped reduce child labor in the traditional fuel sector.
Challenges Ahead
While India has made significant progress towards achieving SDG 8, several challenges lie ahead. One of the most pressing challenges is to address the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Indian economy and employment. The pandemic has disrupted supply chains, reduced demand, and led to the closure of many businesses, resulting in job losses and reduced incomes. To address this challenge, the Indian government needs to implement policies that promote job creation and economic recovery, especially in the informal sector, which employs a significant proportion of the workforce.
Another challenge is to address the gender gap in the labor force participation rate. Women’s participation in the labor force in India is much lower than men’s, and there are several barriers that prevent women from entering the workforce, such as cultural norms, lack of access to education
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