Free transit no cure for job gap

A country's GDP and growth depend on how well it uses its resources. The higher the number of productive workers, the higher the incomes, spending and investments, the better the state of the economy. Therefore, an easy way to increase the GDP growth often is to ensure people who aren't working start doing so. Underemployment of women One of the things India doesn't do well compared to other countries is getting women to work. According to the government's data, just about 15 per cent of Indian women work in salaried jobs and less than that in formal jobs. Even a marginal increase in these numbers can increase GDP growth tremendously. Labour economists specialising in this subject have long analysed this problem and made recommendations on what needs to be done: more women will be able to work if a decent 'care economy' could be developed that will take some of the burden women have of looking after children and the elderly. Incentivising sectors that typically employ women is one option. Bangladesh does much better than India on women's labour participation because it has a large and flourishing apparel sector that typically employs women. Street lighting, improved law and order and safer commuting options can help. Free bus rides: Yay or nay? The Delhi government introduced

This article was originally published on April 01, 2024.