Three-day ISLE Conference Commences at UoH
The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE) embarked on a significant journey with the commencement of its three-day conference at the University of Hyderabad (UoH). The conference brought together eminent scholars, policymakers, and researchers to deliberate on various facets of the labour market and economics.
At the inaugural session, Satoshi Sasaki, the Deputy Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Decent Work Team for South Asia and Country Office for India, illuminated the gathering with insights on the informal sector’s dynamics. He underscored the tremendous potential harbored by India’s sizable youth demographic, which paves the way for novel business ventures. Sasaki also emphasized the importance of increasing labour force participation among women and the need for adaptable work-care arrangements to support this end.
The discourse took a scholarly turn with Dr. Deba Prasad Rath, Principal Adviser of the Department of Economic and Policy Research (DEPR) at the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), presenting on the theme ‘Post Covid Fiscal Policy – The Indian Experience’. In his presentation, Dr. Rath laid emphasis on the critical role of fiscal policy and research in steering India towards a trajectory of sustainable growth and potential enhancement, particularly in the wake of the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Adding to the rich tapestry of perspectives was Prof. BJ Rao, Vice Chancellor of the University of Hyderabad, who offered a thought-provoking comparison between the complexity of economic systems and physical systems within science disciplines. Prof. Rao’s analogy served to underscore the multifaceted challenges and nuances inherent in understanding and managing economic phenomena.
The highlight of the conference’s presidential address was delivered by Ritu Dewan, focusing on the theme of self-employment in India. Her presentation, titled ‘Towards Demystifying Self-Employment in India: Delineation, Dimensionality, Differentia’, shed light on the critical issues surrounding unpaid workers and gender disparity in the workforce, alongside proposing solutions to bridge wage gaps. Dewan’s address was a clarion call to address and rectify these longstanding issues through concerted efforts and strategic policymaking.
As the conference proceedings unfold over the next two days, it promises to foster meaningful discussions and produce actionable insights that will contribute to shaping the future landscape of labour economics in India and beyond.
