Saket Kumar

Chennai
13 January, 2025

This year’s Bottomline special edition took a look at the challenges and opportunities, exploring the evolving dynamics of India’s workforce. A dedicated team of 16 correspondents reported from eight states to capture the voices and experiences of a diverse working population. Their reporting reveals the dual reality of India’s labor landscape- policy gaps and disruptions in traditional employment contrasted with new avenues of work opportunities.

Policy contradictions are reflected in Chhattisgarh, a state that has taken measures to promote sporting culture through initiatives like the Bastar Olympics, while its former sports personalities are left stranded for years in hopes of getting jobs under Utkrisht Khiladi Yojana. 

Farmers of the Yamuna floodplain in Delhi are displaced due to government-induced policy exposing them to vulnerabilities. They are now forced to resort to menial jobs by which they earn little compared to what they would earn through farming.

There are design flaws in policies supporting women entrepreneurs.  Komal Gupta of Delhi failed to avail of a loan as she did not have a dedicated office space for her at-home stitching business. Factors like the unavailability of key documents among women who may not have the awareness and means to get them hinder accessibility.

While these structural challenges cripple the prospects of productive employment, a churn in traditional employment sectors adds to the complexity. The next generation of Pot-making families does not view pottery as a viable employment option, threatening to end the legacy of craft form. In contrast, migrants are taking over the traditional handblock printing in Jaipur from the  Chipa community.

A promising shift is underway despite these challenges as different sections of the working population explore emerging sectors. The concept of working from home, which grew during the COVID-19 pandemic, has now taken new forms. Remote work has become a trend with technological advancement. Techies prefer remote work over 9 to 5 corporate jobs. 

Women entrepreneurs in Kolkata have successfully ventured into the boutique business, a sector typically dominated by men. They are using social media platforms to expand their footprint across the globe. 

In Jharkhand’s tribal communities, musicians are bridging the gap between tradition and modernity. Young tribal artists are reimagining folk songs, blending age-old rhythms with contemporary beats. Many of them do not see this as full-time employment, however, the emergence of such a trend is a radical shift. 

 
Queer communities in Delhi are turning to drag performances as a feasible employment opportunity and a platform for self-expression. The story serves as an example of niche employment opportunities that can be explored for queer communities besides the efforts to integrate them into mainstream workspaces.

Through this edition, we aimed to bring forth the intricate realities of employment in India, particularly the challenges and innovations shaping the country’s job market. Our extensive reportage reminds policy executives to be mindful of emerging trends while at the same time addressing long-standing policy challenges.