The Government on Wednesday said 'employment rate in some sectors of economy grew by 0.6 percent during the first quarter of this year notwithstanding the recession, with the non-export units generating more jobs than the export units did.'

The Minister of Labour and Employment, Harish Rawat has indicated increase in employment in certain sectors of the economy.

The minister speaking at Rajya Sabha, said that the rate of employment in some sectors of the economy increased by 0.6 percent during Q1-FY2009-10. The sectors, which witnessed increase, include gems and jewellery, textiles, IT-BPO and automobiles with 3.08 percent, 0.96 percent, 0.82 percent, and 0.10 percent growth respectively.

The minister however said that certain sectors, namely, metals, transport, and leather have seen a decline in employment.

During the last quarter of previous year [Q4-FY 08/09], the gems, and jewellery industry was badly hit with decline in employment by 8.53 percent, followed by transport and automobile sectors with decline in employment rate by 4.03 percent and 2.42 percent respectively.

A study conducted by Labour Bureau of the Ministry revealed as many as half a million people lost their jobs during the period of economic downturn.

The minister also said that state governments have been directed to work on the conciliation mechanism to circumvent employee retrenchment and implement labour laws in the interests of the workers.