New Delhi: The rate of employment in the last two decades has been lower than economic growth rate and the quality of employment, said the government.

"The Working Group Report on Employment prepared for the 12th Five-Year Plan mentions that the rate of employment in the last two decades is lower than the rate of growth of the economy and that the quality of employment and the level of productivity are areas of concern," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Planning Rajeev Shukla said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

He said the 12th Five-Year Plan recognizes that in order to promote employment it is not sufficient to have high rate of growth but that growth should be more inclusive and employment opportunities should be more productive.

"With the above objective in mind, the Plan seeks a substantial step-up in manufacturing sector growth to 12-14 percent over the medium term to generate 100 million additional jobs by 2025," Shukla said.

The minister said emphasis is to be given to labor intensive sectors such textile and garments, leather and footwear, gems and jewellery, food processing, as well as micro, small and medium enterprises.

Skill development is another thrust area in the Plan strategy and market demand is sought to be met by optimizing respective strengths of the public and private entities engaged in skill development besides focusing on quality, quantity, equity and systemic reforms in skilling.

"The future strategy on employment generation also envisages simplification and rationalization of labor laws to encourage growth in those sectors that provide productive and better paying jobs for workers," he added.

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