“Explore India’s strides toward Sustainable Development Goal 8! From economic growth to employment, gender equality to eliminating child labor. Delve into progress, challenges, and the way forward. Stay informed on India’s journey towards inclusive and sustainable economic development.”
Sustainable Development Goal 8 (SDG 8) aims to promote sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. It recognizes the critical role of economic growth in reducing poverty, improving living standards, and creating opportunities for people to lead fulfilling lives.
India has made significant progress towards achieving SDG 8 since the adoption of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. In this blog, we will discuss the progress made by India towards SDG 8 and the challenges that lie ahead.
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Economic Growth and Employment
One of the key targets of SDG 8 is to achieve sustained economic growth of at least 7% per annum for developing countries. India has shown impressive growth in recent years, with the gross domestic product (GDP) growing at an average rate of 7.5% between 2014 and 2019. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the Indian economy, and the GDP contracted by 7.7% in the financial year 2020-21. Despite this setback, the Indian government has taken several measures to revive the economy, including a stimulus package of $266 billion.
Another target of SDG 8 is to achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all. In India, the labor force participation rate is around 50%, with women’s participation being much lower than men’s. The unemployment rate in India was 6.9% in December 2021, which is higher than pre-pandemic levels. However, the Indian government has taken several steps to promote job creation, such as the National Employment Guarantee Act, which provides a guarantee of 100 days of wage employment to every rural household.
Gender Equality in the Workplace
SDG 8 also aims to eliminate all forms of forced labor, slavery, and human trafficking. In India, the prevalence of forced labor and slavery is relatively low compared to other countries, but it still exists. The Indian government has taken several measures to combat these practices, such as the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act and the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act.
Another important target of SDG 8 is to promote gender equality in the workplace. India has made significant progress in this regard, with women’s participation in the labor force increasing from 21% in 2005 to 28% in 2018. The Indian government has also introduced several measures to promote women’s employment, such as the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao scheme, which aims to encourage the education and empowerment of girls.
Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 8 also aims to promote decent work for all, including safe and secure working environments, social protection, and the elimination of child labor. In India, the government has introduced several measures to ensure safe and secure working environments, such as the Factories Act, which regulates the working conditions in factories, and the Mines Act, which regulates the working conditions in mines.
The Indian government has also introduced several social protection schemes, such as the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, which aims to provide financial inclusion to every household in the country. The government has also introduced the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana and the Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana, which provide life and accident insurance to individuals.
Elimination of Child Labor
SDG 8 also aims to eliminate child labor in all its forms. India has made significant progress in this regard, with the number of child laborers decreasing from 12.6 million in 2001 to 10.1 million in 2011. The Indian government has introduced several measures to combat child labor, such as the Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Amendment Act, which prohibits the employment of children under the age of 14 in all occupations and processes, except for work in family enterprises and the entertainment industry. The government has also implemented the National Child Labour Project, which aims to withdraw children from hazardous work and provide them with education and training.
Despite these efforts, child labor remains a significant issue in India, especially in informal sectors such as agriculture, domestic work, and small-scale industries. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated the situation, with many families pushed into poverty and children forced to work to support their families. To achieve the target of eliminating child labor, the Indian government needs to strengthen its enforcement mechanisms and ensure that all children have access to education and other basic services.
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 and skills training, and discrimination in the workplace. To address this challenge, the Indian government needs to implement policies that promote women’s education, skills training, and employment opportunities and eliminate discrimination in the workplace.
Finally, the Indian government needs to address the issue of informal employment, which accounts for a significant proportion of the Indian workforce. Informal workers lack social protection, including access to healthcare, pension, and other benefits, and are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. To address this challenge, the Indian government needs to introduce policies that promote formalization of the informal sector and ensure that all workers have access to social protection.
Conclusion
In conclusion, India has made significant progress towards achieving SDG 8 since the adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals in 2015. The Indian government has implemented several policies and programs to promote economic growth, employment, and decent work, and has made progress in addressing issues such as forced labor, gender inequality, and child labor. However, several challenges lie ahead, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Indian economy and employment, the gender gap in the labor force participation rate, and the issue of informal employment. To achieve the targets of SDG 8, the Indian government needs to address these challenges and implement policies that promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all.
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