Inclusive Employment for Sustainable Development in India: An Analysis

Employment is a vital element of anyone's life, whether economically or socially. Employment does not only impact the economic situation of an individual’s life but the entire economy. Economic activity is the most significant tool for the growth and development of any economy. For inclusive and sustainable development, every segment of society must be involved in the development process. It is critical to determine a group's or community's employment involvement in order to determine its economic state. To understand the economic situation of different Socio-Religious Groups (SRGs) it is necessary to know their employment participation rates. The present study is focused on the employment pattern and distribution of different SRG workers by using the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) 2019-20 by National Statistical Organization (NSO). This study suggests that Muslims are more vulnerable than other Socio-Religious Groups (SRGs) in India. Their participation in regular salaried jobs is very low and highest in self-employment work when compared with the other SRGs. It is discovered that Muslim workers' participation in quality jobs and regular salaried employment is low, and they are mostly engaged in low-quality work. As argued in the paper, the employment condition of Muslims in India is a major barrier to their participation in sustainable development. By improving the employment condition of Muslims, India can create a more equitable and just society that is better able to achieve sustainable development.