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 national lockdown 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.
All workers
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 share of workers with fewer working hours was higher in April-June 2020.
Distribution of all workers by the number of hours worked in a week
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In States such as Uttarakhand, Tamil Nadu, and Bihar, the share of workers with less than 36 hours of work a week increased substantially in April-June 2020 compared to a year ago.
State-wise share of workers who worked for less than 36 hours
Urban workers
The bar graph shows the share of urban workers distributed across the number of hours they worked 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 urban 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.
Distribution of urban workers by the number of hours worked in a week
In States such as Kerala, West Bengal, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Uttar Pradesh, the share of urban workers with less than 36 hours of work a week increased substantially in April-June 2020 compared to a year ago.
State-wise share of urban workers who worked for less than 36 hours
Rural workers
The bar graph shows the share of rural 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 rural workers who worked less than 36 hours in a week in April-June 2020 (indicated by a yellow dot) and April-June 2019 (indicated by a blue dot) in major States.
Distribution of rural workers by the number of hours worked in a week
In States such as Uttarakhand and Bihar, the share of rural workers with less than 36 hours of work in a week increased substantially in April-June 2020 compared to a year ago.
State-wise share of rural workers who worked for less than 36 hours
Source: Periodic Labour Fource Survey 2019-20
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