This book examines how the progress of digital technology is transforming the world of work, skill demand, labour market institutions, and regulations in countries like India. It studies the challenges, opportunities, and current and future contributions of digital technologies. The volume poses salient questions regarding the ICT sector, I4.0 technologies, the gig economy, remote work, and the regulatory environment, and interrogates the policy and regulatory measures needed to promote more inclusive and decent work in the future.
Part of the Towards Sustainable Futures series, this book will be an essential read for scholars and researchers of economics, sustainable development, sociology of work, labour economics, Indian economy, public policy, and human resource management. It will also be extremely useful to policymakers, government organisations, civil society organisations, and those in the corporate sector.
Table of Contents:
List of Figures vi
List of Tables vii
Acknowledgements ix
List of Abbreviations xi
1 Introduction 1
2 Growth and employment 18
3 Information and communications technology and employment 43
4 Industry 4.0 technologies: Opportunities and risks 62
5 Emerging gig economy: A standard or non-standard work 88
6 New work environment: Work from home 105
7 Skill and employment: Demand-supply gap 116
8 Emerging policies and regulatory challenges 134
9 Conclusion and way forward 148
Appendix 170
Bibliography 182
Index 197
About the Author :
Balwant Singh Mehta is Professor at the Institute for Human Development (IHD), New Delhi, India. He has authored 10 books and over 70 articles, published in peer-reviewed national and international journals, covering topics such as employment, inequality, poverty, child welfare, education, health and information and communications technology for development, and other human development-related issues. Recognised for his scholarly contribution, he has received several national and international fellowships and awards. He also writes opinion pieces and editorials in magazines, blogs, and national dailies.
Bharat Singh holds a PhD from Faculty of Management Studies, University of Delhi, and is Professor in the Department of Economics, Satyawati College (Eve.), University of Delhi, India. He has teaching and research experience of over 33 years at the University of Delhi. He has accomplished two innovative research projects awarded by the University of Delhi. He has published 2 books and more than 24 articles/research papers related to employment, economic reforms, manpower restructuring, entrepreneurship, agriculture, and sustainability in various peer-reviewed national, international journals, and book chapters. He has delivered more than four dozen lectures and presented papers at various national and international fora.
