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Inequality, Employment and Public Policy

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  • S. Mahendra Dev

    (Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research)

Abstract

This paper examines dimensions of inequality including labour market inequalities and discusses public policies needed for reduction in inequalities. It discusses both inequality of outcomes and inequality of opportunities. In terms of income, India is the second most unequal country in the world after South Africa. Wealth inequalities are also high in India. Most of the inequalities will have a labour market dimension. Labour market inequalities can be found across sectors, wages and earnings, quality of work, labour market access and between organised and unorganised sectors. On public policies and inequalities, the paper discusses redistribution measures, macro-policies, sectoral policies and impact on employment, social policies such as education, health, hunger and malnutrition, social protection, corruption, gender disparities and climate change. The paper argues for fundamental changes to human capital and universal basic services. Investments in social infrastructure, health, education, affirmative action and provision of public services can lead to the creation of an egalitarian society.

Suggested Citation

  • S. Mahendra Dev, 2018. "Inequality, Employment and Public Policy," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 61(1), pages 1-42, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijlaec:v:61:y:2018:i:1:d:10.1007_s41027-018-0122-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s41027-018-0122-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Gerry Rodgers, 2020. "Labour and Employment in India: A 50-Year Perspective," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 63(1), pages 1-19, March.
    2. Hafsa Batool & Urooj Maqbool & Saba Gulzar, 2024. "Equal Educational Opportunities: A Catalyst for Sustainable Economic Development," Journal of Economic Impact, Science Impact Publishers, vol. 6(1), pages 53-61.
    3. S. Mahendra Dev, 2018. "Tranformation of Indian agriculture: Growth, iclusiveness and sustainability," Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai Working Papers 2018-026, Indira Gandhi Institute of Development Research, Mumbai, India.
    4. Aswini Kumar Mishra & Vedant Bhardwaj, 2021. "Wealth distribution and accounting for changes in wealth inequality: empirical evidence from India, 1991–2012," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 54(2), pages 585-620, May.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Inequality of outcomes; Inequality of opportunities; Consumption; Income; Wealth; Labour market; Wage inequality; Fiscal policy; Monetary policy; Trade policy; Human capital; Health; Education; Informal sector; Inclusive growth; Corruption; Gender; Climate change;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D63 - Microeconomics - - Welfare Economics - - - Equity, Justice, Inequality, and Other Normative Criteria and Measurement
    • E24 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Consumption, Saving, Production, Employment, and Investment - - - Employment; Unemployment; Wages; Intergenerational Income Distribution; Aggregate Human Capital; Aggregate Labor Productivity
    • J28 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demand and Supply of Labor - - - Safety; Job Satisfaction; Related Public Policy

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