Experts dwell on economic, gender-based inequality

Tribune News Service
Patiala, December 9

The 61st conference of the Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE) at Punjabi University concluded with discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) and economic and gender-based inequality today.

Dr Abhijit Sen, a former member of the Planning Commission, chaired the Radhakamal Mukherjee Memorial Lecture. Prof D Narasimha Reddy of the Institute for Human Development, New Delhi, delivered a lecture, ‘Future of work and challenges to the capabilities of Indian workforce’, on the occasion and spoke about the third Industrial Revolution and how the introduction of AI and robotics threatened the future of work.

Conference president Prof Gerry Rodgers presided over the valedictory session, which focussed on issues of economic and gender inequality. 

Prof Dagmar Walter from the International Labour Organization (ILO), who was the guest of honour, said, “To nurture a better future for the discipline of economics, we need to ‘invest’ more in human resource and provide a conducive environment for sustainable development.” She stressed on the need of evidence-based policy making. 

Dr Deepak Nayyar, Professor Emeritus at the JNU, also shared concerns over crucial issues being faced by the workforce in the Indian society.

Prof Alakh N Sharma, Director, Institute for Human Development, and Prof IC Awasthi, Secretary, ISLE, also addressed the gathering. Dr Lakhwinder Singh, the organising secretary of the conference, said over 525 participants attended the conference.