Keyword

Retail, Employment, FDI, Public Policy, International Policy

Abstract

In India, retail is the second largest employer after agriculture, providing employment to over 35 million people. Employment in this sector has witnessed changes after the 1990s with the modernisation of retail. Since retail is labour-intensive, the FDI policy on retail is linked with employment. This paper examines employment conditions in organised and unorganised retail and provides policy recommendations for the Indian government. The paper is based on a survey of around 500 retail employees and employers, using descriptive techniques. The paper found that the quality of employment and future job prospects are better in the organised sector than in the unorganised sector. The focus of the government should, therefore, be on generating quality employment. The policy recommendations, if implemented, can generate employment in the organised sector while minimising the adverse impact on the unorganised sector


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