Labour Security and Urban Informal Women Workers: A Comparative Study of West Bengal

Abstract

This work is with respect to labour security of women workers in urban informal sector in West Bengal. Labour security implies certain benefits (other than wage payments) to a person for being a labourer as his/her right or entitlement(s). Earlier studies suggest that informal women workers are more vulnerable than informal men workers. In this context, the paper attempts to examine whether urban informal sector women workers enjoy any labour security or not. For this purpose, a primary survey has been conducted in selected districts of West Bengal. On the basis of data collected, a labour-security index is calculated considering a reasonable number of relevant variables. A comparison of labour security status across gender, as well as type or workers, has also been carried out. Both women and men informal urban workers are found to be at lower level of labour security, but women performing better than men. Finally, the paper renders some useful policy suggestions in order to improve the existing labour security status of both men and women urban informal workers.