Revisiting Decent Work in India: What Determines Employment Quality?

Abstract

India has witnessed robust economic growth and structural transformation over the past two decades. Nevertheless, the quality of employment remains a pressing concern. In this context, this paper examines employment quality in India using key dimensions from the International Labour Organization’s Decent Work framework: employment opportunities, stability and security and social security. This paper also seeks to identify the probable factors that could influence employment quality. The analysis is based on data published by the Government of India for three periods: 2009-10, 2018-19, and 2023-24. The main findings of the paper are that although the individual-level factors, such as age, gender, social identities, etc., are significant in explaining the variations in the quality of employment at the micro-level The main finding of the paper is that although the individual-level factors, such as age, gender, social identities, etc., are significant in explaining the variations in the quality of employment at the micro-level. Intriguingly, at the macro-level, aspects such as increaseing overall economic activities, growth in organised sector activity, improving quality of governance, and flexible business regulatory environment either have no significant role or negatively influence employment quality.