A working paper by the Economic Advisory Council to the Prime Minister (EAC-PM) has found that female workers in India are more likely to be engaged in informal employment compared to their male counterparts. The paper, which integrates worker-side and enterprise-side surveys, highlights significant gender disparities in the labor market.
Key Findings on Gender and Informality
The analysis shows that a higher proportion of women work in informal jobs, often lacking social security benefits and job security. According to the paper, this trend is consistent across various sectors and regions. The authors emphasize that informal employment is a major challenge for women's economic empowerment.
Methodological Approach
The paper underscores the analytical value of combining data from household and enterprise surveys within a common empirical framework. This approach provides a more comprehensive understanding of labor market dynamics and the prevalence of informal work. The researchers used data from multiple rounds of national surveys to draw their conclusions.
Policy Implications
The findings call for targeted policies to address the structural barriers that push women into informal employment. The EAC-PM working paper suggests that improving access to formal jobs, enhancing skill development, and ensuring better enforcement of labor laws could help reduce gender disparities. The paper also recommends further research to explore the causes and consequences of informal employment among women.
