The Great Indian Blue Collar — The Blue Billion
In 2020, the employment and economic situation of India felt a sudden shock as COVID-19 hit the ground. Millions of workers lost their jobs, and as most of them were migrating workers, returned to their hometowns. This situation gives rise to issues that nobody ever even thought of. Companies lost their backbone as blue-collar workers left in droves. These workers were unable to find suitable jobs within their proximity. There was a major shift in the requirement as everyone wanted skilled blue-collar employees.
India Has a workforce of approximately 500 million and 90 percent of them are employed in the informal sector and majority of them are Blue/Grey Collar workers.
I have been interacting and engaging with this group of people since a long time being an entrepreneur in the IT city of Bangalore. My work mostly requires employing mostly these kind of unskilled workers who migrate from lesser rich states like Bihar , UP , Assam and West Bengal looking to service the more affluent class of people living in the top 10 cities in India.
If India needs to get anywhere close to achieving its target of a 5 trillion economy this segment of the society needs to be upskilled and upgraded.
Out of the total population of around half a billion . 50 percent are in the agriculture sector of the economy where as the balance 50 percent is in the unorganized segments employed as construction workers , Factories , retail segment , drivers , house helps ect.
Earlier, very few companies realized the need for upskilling blue-collar workers as they never recognize their importance or role in the progress and growth of the company. But the gap or scarcity created and felt during the pandemic changed the mindsets of many. Companies are now more conscious of the need to upskill the backbone of their organizations. Thus, skill development for blue-collar workers is gaining much popularity.
Also, we as a society need to understand that unless we create some kind of balance in income distribution , progress of Indian economy is not possible.
This is where lies the great opportunity for Indian Start ups . They have an audience of around half a billion people who need (Consume) basic skills like English speaking , real life vocational training , micro Loans , home loans , business Coaching and Of Couse biggest of them being JOBS.
I have listed some of the essential services which a Blue collar workers might require to equip himself/herself to be competitive in the ever changing digital world .
A Digital Identity — Complete profile with background checks.
Place to record his employment data on a daily basis.
Chance to upskill with certified online/offline courses.
Access to govt/Private medical and life Insurance
Access to easy micro/Home/Business Loans
Business Training / Coaching
A secret sauce :-) which I have prepared which can possibly increase the average income of Blue collar worker by Rs 1000 to Rs 1500 every month
And many More….
Indian blue collar worker is very trust worthy and just needs to be shown the right direction. They know what hard work really means and with proper directions can do wonders for the company, self and the economy.
Hoping to do something good for this sector in the future…
I personally like the Word KaamDaar . — The Great Indian Blue Collar
