Data | Urban workers hit the most during national COVID-19 lockdown
The Hindu
Amount of work available for workers in India reduced substantially in the period coinciding with the national lockdown during the first COVID-19 wave
The Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) data show that the amount of work available for workers in India reduced substantially in the period coinciding with the during the first COVID-19 wave. Underemployment was more pronounced in the urban parts compared to the rural areas. In April-June 2020, about 26% of urban employees worked for 36 hours or less a week compared to the 13% a year earlier. The decrease in the available hours of work was recorded across India, with very few exceptions. The bar graph shows the share of workers distributed across the number of hours they worked in a week in April-June 2020 (indicated by a yellow bar) and April-June 2019 (indicated by a blue bar) . The dot plot shows the share of workers who worked less than 36 hours a week in April-June 2020 (indicated by a yellow dot) and April-June 2019 (indicated by a blue dot) in major States.
The Union and State governments provided support in several ways to the needy people, but private institutions should also extend help, especially to those requiring medical assistance, said C.P. Rajkumar, Managing Director, Nalam Multispeciality Hospital, here on Saturday. Speaking at a function to honour Inspector General of Police V. Balakrishnan and neurologist S. Meenakshisundaram with C. Palaniappan Memorial Award for their contribution to society and Nalam Kappom medical adoption of Type-1 diabetic children, he said the governments implemented numerous welfare programmes, but the timely help by a private hospital or a doctor in the neighbourhood to the people in need would go a long way in safeguarding their lives.












