No. of agri workers declines in 10 yrs: Oscar

New Delhi, Apr 21 (UNI) Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes today said there has been a decline in percentage of labourers working in the agriculture sector due to migration to urban areas.

Replying to questions in the Lok Sabha, he said according to a survey by the National Sample Survey Organisation, the percentage of labourers engaged in agriculture decreased from 64.75 to 58.49 per cent of the total workforce in the unorganised sector.

Asked aboutsteps taken by the Government to attract the workforce to agriculture sector, the Minister said the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act has been enacted to provide 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in every financial year. The scheme, which was being implemented in 330 districts, has now been extended to 604 districts, he added.

UNI MMG HS DS1346