A Multi-Pronged Approach
Vision Next Decade" by the Indian Staffing Federation proposes a comprehensive strategy to formalize India's workforce, currently dominated by informality. The report highlights the urgency of this transformation, emphasizing the need for a "structural shift or overhaul" to improve the lives of over 40 crore informal workers.
Reduce Bottlenecks: The report identifies restrictive labor legislations as a major obstacle to formalization. It suggests removing these bottlenecks to encourage investment and formal employment expansion.
The report urges the swift implementation of the four Labour Codes, which aim to simplify and streamline labor regulations.
The report recommends reclassifying employment services as 'merit services' and lowering the GST rate from 18% to 5%. This, it argues, would incentivize formalization and generate additional GST revenue.
The report proposes linking skilling initiatives to employment opportunities, particularly in sectors like construction, mining, transportation, and manufacturing. This would provide immediate social security support to newly formalized workers.
The report recognizes the staffing industry's potential to drive formalization. It suggests utilizing the industry's expertise to transform informal workers into formal employees, ensuring legal protection and compliance.
The report estimates that formalizing 40 crore informal workers could generate an additional Rs. 31,200 crore in annual ESIC contributions and Rs. 49,728 crore in annual GST revenue. This would significantly boost social security coverage and government revenue.
The report's recommendations offer a comprehensive roadmap for formalizing India's workforce. By addressing key challenges, implementing policy changes, and leveraging the staffing industry, India can unlock the potential of its vast informal workforce, leading to improved livelihoods, increased productivity, and a more robust economy.