Oxfam India’s Discrimination Report 2022

Why in the News?

Recently, Oxfam India’s released the ‘India Discrimination Report 2022’.

Key Points:

• Discrimination in the labour market is when people with identical capabilities are treated differently because of their identity or social backgrounds.
• Source of Data: The report’s findings are based on Government of India data on employment and labour from 2004-05 to 2019-20.

Key findings:

Women:

• This shows the withdrawal of women from the workforce despite rapid economic growth during the same period.
• Overall discrimination in wages for people from SC, ST and Muslim communities declined in regular/salaried jobs, it increased for women in this period — from 67.2% in 2004-05 to 75.7% in 2019-20.

SC/ST: 

• In 2019-20, the average income for people from SC or ST communities with regular employment in urban areas was Rs 15,312 compared to Rs 20,346 for those from the ‘general’ category.
• This means the general category is earning 33% more than SCs or STs.

Muslims: 

• In 2019-20, 68.3% of Muslims in urban areas faced discrimination, up from 59.3% in 2004-05.

Reasons for Discrimination:

• Gender-based discrimination is the reason for 98 percent of the employment gap.
• ‘societal and employers’ prejudices” for women’s lower wages.
• Poor access to education or employment.

Conclusion: 

• The fallout of discrimination in Indian society is not just social and moral but also economic, leading to adverse consequences for society.
• The government, political parties, policymakers and civil society must work together to build a discrimination-free India.