Pandemic made women away from the labour force, CMIE study

Economic Outlook published by Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy Pvt.Ltd (CMIE) stressed on the fact that urban Female Labor Force Participation (FLPR) has not improved after lifting pandemic lockdown measures. Labour participation rate for women monitored as less than 11 whereas for men it's found to be nearly 71 per cent. In addition, the female unemployment rate is also noted to be higher than men, 17 per cent and 6 per cent respectively.

Only 9 per cent of all women of working age are employed against 67 per cent of men counterparts. This observed pattern of under participation of women in the labour force can lead to their concentration in poor quality jobs where contractual labour is on a rise.

The study projected that most of all it will be young women who will be facing the changed adverse condition of the labour market. The depression in the labour participation of younger women due to demonetisation was rising better in terms but again flopped in the economic shock created by Covid -19 pandemic.

"Women accounted for 10.7 per cent of the workforce in 2019-20 but they suffered 13.9 per cent of the job losses in April 2020, the first month of the lockdown shock. By November 2020, men recovered most of their lost jobs but women were less fortunate. 49 per cent of the job losses by November were of women. The recovery has benefitted all but, it benefitted women less than it did for men" study underlined.

CMIE's consumer Pyramid Household survey showed skewed lower participation of urban women against the results of expected better education and job opportunities of them.