The Coronavirus has taken a heavy toll of the already bleak unemployment scenario of India. According to the Center for Monitoring of Indian Economy (CMIE), between April and July, one crore eighty nine lakhs employed people lost their job amidst restrictions imposed to curb the spread of pandemic.
Across sectors, employed people suffered salary cuts, while hundred of thousands of people were sent on leave without pay.
The CMIE report said that small businessmen, hawkers and daily labourers were severely hit particularly in April, as the national wide lock down was imposed in late March. Among the total 12 Crore 15 lakhs people who lost their job in April, 9 crore 12 lakhs people consist of these groups. Thus, the small businessmen, hawkers and daily labourers together consist of 75% of total job losses in the month, while they make up barely 32% of total jobs.
Ramping up his attack over rising unemployment Rahul Gandhi took on the NDA government over job losses since the outbreak of Coronavirus. Citing the CMIE report he tweeted in Hindi, “In last four months almost two crore people lost their jobs. Families of two crore people slipped into darkness. Spreading false news and hatred on Facebook cannot hide the unemployment and destruction of the economy.”
Earlier, On the occasion of 60th foundation day of Indian Youth Congress, Rahul Gandhi had launched the ‘Rozgar Do’ campaign. In a video message posted on twitter on the occasion He had said, “When Narendra Modi became Prime Minister, he promised the youth of this country that he would give employment to two crore people every year. He sold a dream, but the truth is 14 crore people have been made jobless by his policies.”
