Unorganized Workers Research Articles

Financial Literacy among Unorganised Workers - A Bird’s View

Financial literacy refers to the skill, knowledge, capabilities, awareness, behaviour and attitude to achieve the financial well-being of an individual by making sound and viable financial decisions. It refers to the capability to manage financial substances competently and make suitable decisions about investing, planning, budgeting, managing, and controlling. It is the ability of understanding and apply financial management aids to accomplish financial stability concerning investing, management of debt, and allocation of income towards several goals instead of unjust expenses and making an individual self-sufficient. The purpose of this paper is to examine the perception of workers towards financial literacy components and to analyze the impact of financial literacy on financial decision-making.

Postural analysis and ergonomic intervention of unorganized workers in indian construction sectors.

In India's fast-growing economy, the construction sector offers significant developments with huge employment opportunities but poses risks due to poor working environments and uncomfortable postures. Traditional methods, such as manual material handling, can lead to health hazards and musculoskeletal disorders such as overexertion, low back pain, etc. The purpose of this study was to analyze the working postures of unorganized employees engaged in residential buildings using Ergofellow software and to recommend changes in their unsafe working postures. Participants' working positions were video recorded and the postures were analyzed using Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA), Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA) and Ovako Working Posture Analysis (OWAS). Paired sample t-tests were used to analyze significant differences between the RULA and REBA scores after the ergonomic interventions were implemented. From the analysis of RULA, REBA and OWAS, the working postures showed a high risk of potential injury and required an immediate change in employees' working postures. The RULA and REBA scores were subsequently lower after the ergonomic interventions, which were based on ergonomic and safety principles. The paired sample t-tests with p-values of less than 0.05 demonstrated decreased risks after ergonomic interventions. Working postures of the construction workers exposed to musculoskeletal disorders were examined and the ergonomic interventions were implemented. According to the recommendations, working positions were changed, and employee well-being was enhanced by reduced operational risks.

Socio Economic Conditions of Sugarcane Juice Vendor and Domestic Workers in Private Hospital, Madurai

Technology developments are growing in a fast way in all business. With small amount capital as seed many business are started and after facing challenges with can be nature few of them are withstand in the market with greater achievement and more profit. In the same way, unorganized sectors also developed and created milestone in each field. But the earning capacity of the workers, family style of the family, basic needs of them is not yet met. Main reason for that it, their works is recognized by their own organization and family members too even though with the support of them only they running their business and leading happy life. at world level Sustainable Development Goals were framed and many countries try their best to implement in their own style. So a researcher, present study was taken to found the Socio-economic conditions of unorganised workers especially Hospital Domestic workers and Sugarcane Juice Vendors. Keywords: Hospital Domestic Workers, Sugarcane Juice Vendors Sustainable Development Goals, Unorganised workers

Movement for Black Lives at Work? Racial Justice Spillover, Labor Organization, and New Worker Militancy

ABSTRACT Emerging from a confluence of events – including Black Lives Matter Movement (BLM) – racial consciousness has intensified in recent years. In the wake of a long declining labor movement, there has also been a surprising upsurge in labor militancy. Are these two currents systematically related? Situating our analysis in the sociological literature on social movement spillover, we ask if there is evidence of racial justice spillover into and stimulating workplace militancy. Employing all known strikes and worker protests during 2021 and 2022, we find: (a) racial justice demands did, indeed, appear as part of workplace militancy during this period; (b) racial justice demands were voiced in both worker protests and strikes launched most heavily by unions but also by alt-labor/SMOs and by unorganized workers; (c) weekly time-series regression models indicate that BLM demonstrations stimulated the frequency of workplace protests and strikes with racial justice demands which, in turn, stimulated wider worker militancy over other issues; and (d) interdependency analysis of worker actions reveals that unionized worker protests served as a key catalyst driving other forms of worker militancy with racial justice demands. We discuss the implications of our findings for social movement spillover theory and for moving racial justice and labor movements forward.

THE GIG ECONOMY AND ITS IMPLICATIONS ON CONTRACT LABOR LAWS

This paper analyses the effect of gig economy on contract labour laws. The gig economy has changed the nature of work, placed established employment models to the test, and brought up significant issues about the suitability of current contract labour rules. According to the Unorganised Workers' Social Security Act of 2008, a wage worker, self-employed individual, or someone working from home is referred to as an "unorganised worker." Although gig workers may not be included in this definition, they do fit under the second clause, which defines gig workers as those for whom no labour code defines the term. They are referred to as "platform workers" since their employment is dependent on platforms and they are hired by businesses using digital apps. Rajasthan is the first state in India to develop legislation protecting gig workers and giving them access to sufficient regulatory frameworks to stop exploitation of their freelance. This paper examines several gig economy issues while accounting for the growing demand for platform labour. It also offers a well-thought-out system for harmonious interactions between the aggregator and worker, as well as specific actions to meet these workers' demands. When the COVID-19 pandemic stuck, a large portion of the gig economy flourished since it was useful for delivering food, necessities, and transportation services, which were severely disrupted. The research's focus is restricted to talking about the problems that platform workers—individuals who work for aggregators like Swiggy, Ola, Uber, and so on—face and offering potential fixes.The paper investigates how the gig economy may affect contract labour laws. It does so by looking at the particulars of gig employment, how different jurisdictions have responded to regulations, and the opportunities and problems that may arise in providing gig workers with adequate safeguards. To meet the characteristics of this developing labour market, it also evaluates the necessity of regulatory adjustments. This article clarifies the intricacies of gig labour in India by thoroughly examining the rules governing labour today, such as the Code on Wages, and how they relate to gig workers.

Addressing the Plight of Beauty Parlor Workers through Social Security Measures

Social security is bare necessity. While people working in organized sector are secured in many fronts, people working in unorganized sector lag behind the former. Federal and state governments in India have, however, created a variety of specialized initiatives, both protective and promotional in nature, to assist unorganized workers. The unorganized sector receives social security through publicly funded Social Assistance Programs, the Social Insurance Scheme, welfare monies from the federal and state governments, and other programs. In India, there are plenty of people employed in beauty salons. While some beauty parlours are organized and provide all sorts of security to their workers, some other parlours are purely unorganized and they don’t give priority on the security measures for their employees. Considering this, it is pertinent to ascertain the conditions of such workers and examine whether social security measures can help them fight out their plight. The study is based on qualitative primary data collected through in-depth interviews with some selected beauty parlor workers of Cuttack, Odisha. It is found that their lives are miserable without any social security measures. Thus, the social security measures extended to workers in organized sectors are needed to such beauty parlor workers who are there in an unorganized set up.

Retirement Planning among Unorganised Workers: Strategies and Challenges

Retirement is that period of life when an individual is no longer working or at the commencement of such a period. Unorganised working class in India should have a shot at leading a comfortable life after the age of 60. It is a remarkable goal given that retiring would be last thing in the minds of workers as they struggle to make ends meet on a daily basis. This study investigates the retirement planning practices of unorganized workers, focusing on the strategies they employ and the challenges they face. Through a comprehensive analysis, we examine the various factors influencing retirement planning decisions among this demographic. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, incorporating both quantitative surveys and qualitative interviews to gather insights into the retirement preparedness and financial security of unorganized workers. Our findings highlight the diverse range of strategies adopted by unorganized workers, including informal savings mechanisms, reliance on family support, and participation in government-sponsored schemes. Additionally, we identify key challenges such as irregular income, lack of access to formal financial services, and limited awareness of retirement planning options. By shedding light on these issues, this study aims to inform policymakers, employers, and stakeholders about the unique needs of unorganized workers in planning for retirement and suggests recommendations for addressing these challenges.

Health Care Facilities for Unorganised Sectors - Beedi, Cine, and Non-Coal Mine Workers: A Comprehensive Sociological Overview

This paper provides an in-depth review of healthcare facilities for unorganized sector workers in general and particularly in India. It also looks into the systemic lapse ealier in all governments across the globe and a serious and administrative, logistical support now being provided to the unorganised workers in India, particularly focusing on beedi workers, cine industry employees, and non-coal mine workers. Based on a systematic review of existing literature and analysis of dispensary-wise patient data from February 2024, sourced from the Directorate General of Labour Welfare, the study illuminates the disparities in healthcare access and quality across different states. The data includes a detailed breakdown of patient visits across 206 dispensaries, highlighting the heavier reliance on static (on-site) healthcare services compared to mobile services, with notable variations among states such as Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. This quantitative analysis is graphically represented through charts that depict the distribution of healthcare services and the socio-economic factors influencing healthcare utilization in these sectors. Through critical evaluation of literature the review explores the necessity for more inclusive health insurance schemes and enhanced private sector involvement to mitigate the healthcare challenges faced by these workers. The findings suggest a significant gap in the provision and utilization of healthcare, influenced by logistical, financial, and informational barriers. Recommendations include the implementation of targeted health interventions, expansion of mobile health units, and the development of comprehensive health insurance models that cater specifically to the needs of the unorganized sectors. The study contributes to the broader goal of achieving health equity and improving socio-economic outcomes for these essential yet vulnerable segments of the workforce. Keywords: Unorganized sectors, healthcare accessibility, data analysis, health disparities, beedi workers, cine workers, non-coal mine workers, India, health policy, empirical research.

Gig Workers: Challenges and Legal Recognition in India

As Gig economy is growing in India, The Gig workers should properly be recognized by the legislation for making the social security and welfare policies for their development. Ambiguity in Identifying and distinguishing Gig workers from other workers including Unorganized workers has become a great challenge to make legislation for the welfare of the Gig workers. The Gig workers who are not clearly defined in the code on social security 2020 have become a great challenge and difficult to keep them under employer-employer relationship which makes legislative body unable to make policies on subject matter relating to social security. The challenge can be removed by the judicial interpretation which becomes the basis for the legislative amendment in the future for the proper legal recognition of the Gig workers in the country. The recognition should be extended to the Sexual Harassment of women at workplace act (prevention, prohibition and redressal) act 2013. So, that the women Gig workers can also be protected against sexual harassment at workplace.

Issues and Difficulties Encountered by Unorganized Sectors: An Indian Perspective

"The unorganized sector of the economy encompasses household-based production processes as well as modest and minor sectors of industry. An unstructured sector refers to an economic sector characterized by a lack of consistency in terms of profits or gains. The manufacture of this item is restricted and it can only be produced to a specific geographical location. It necessitates a reduced workforce and capital expenditure. In the unorganised sector of the Indian economy, one can see arts and crafts, artisan jobs, khadi and rural sectors, including the handcrafted industry, beehive honey production, incense stick manufacturing, handmade paper creation, and matchbox businesses. The Indian government established the National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (NCEUS) to act as a hub for resources for the unorganised sector. The primary goal is to improve the efficiency of small enterprises to provide a substantial amount of sustainable employment opportunities, particularly in rural regions. The Indian government has enacted laws and initiatives to support the growth of informal companies and enhance the welfare of workers in these industries. The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act of 2008 and the Unorganised Workers Social Security Rule of 2008, the Aam Admi Bheema Yojana, and the Rastriya Swasthya Bheema Yojana are the important aspects of this paper."

Identifying and prioritizing factors influencing the social insurance contribution of unorganized workers

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to explore and prioritize the factors that determine the social insurance contribution of unorganized workers.Design/methodology/approachA two-stage procedure was adopted to recognize and prioritize factors influencing the social insurance participation of unorganized workers: first, crucial factors influencing unorganized workers’ contribution towards social insurance were identified by employing exploratory factor analysis, and in the second phase, the fuzzy analytical hierarchal process was applied to rank the specified criteria and then sub-criteria by assigning weights.FindingsFour broad factors were identified, namely, economic, political, operational and socio-psychological, that significantly influence unorganized workers’ contribution towards social insurance. Later findings revealed that the prime influencer of unorganized workers’ contribution is employment contracts followed by average earnings, delivery of quality services, eligibility and accessibility.Practical implicationsThe research findings are feasible as the basic propositions are based on real-world scenario. The identification and ranking of factors have the potential to be used as a checklist for policymakers when designing pension and social insurance for unorganized workers. If it is not possible to consider all, the criteria and sub-criteria assigned upper rank can be given priority to extend pension coverage for a large group of working poor.Social implicationsThe key factors driving social insurance contributions have been highlighted by studying the stakeholders’ perceptions at a micro level. By comprehending the challenges, there is a possibility of covering a large section of the working poor into social insurance coverage.Originality/valueThis paper is believed to be one of its kinds to acknowledge a combination of factors that determine the contribution of unorganized workers to social insurance. This study is an empirical investigation to prioritize the essential drivers of social insurance participation by low-income cohorts in the context of emerging countries. The present approach of employing fuzzy logic has also very limited use in social insurance literature yet.

An Analysis of Gig Workers and Challenges Surrounding Their Employment

The workforce in India comprises about 450 million informal workers, amounting to 92.4% of India’s workforce. In terms of employment, the unorganised sector employs about 83% of the workforce. Interestingly, a new sector of informal workforce has emerged in the last decade famously called the “gig workers” or “platform-based” workers. The term “unorganised worker” has been defined under the Unorganized Workers' Social Security Act, 2008, as a home based worker, self-employed worker or a wage worker. This definition, perhaps does not include gig workers but they fall under the second clause of the definition where the term has not been defined in any of the labour codes. They are addressed as platform workers, as they are employed by corporations via digital applications creating a platform-dependent employment system. Rajasthan was the first state in India to draft a bill, for the protection of gig workers and provide them with adequate regulatory mechanism to prevent exploitation of their freelance. This paper analyses various aspects of gig economy, taking into account the increasing need of platform workers. It also proposes certain measures to address the needs of these workers and suggests a well devised mechanism for smooth relations between worker and the aggregator. Much of the gig economy boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, where it came in handy for delivery of food, essentials, and transportation services, which was hugely affected during the pandemic. The scope of the research is limited to discussing various issues faced by platform workers (workers employed by aggregators like Swiggy, Ola, Uber etc.) and suggesting certain solutions for the same.

THE DUAL CHALLENGES OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND WORKING LIFE OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS: A CASE STUDY IN MAYURBHANJ DISTRICT OF ODISHA

Background/Objectives: Today, it is highly emphasized that construction workers participation in the path of countrys development is depending upon by enhancing their social and economic status. In construction activities, health is the important determinant of employment, and it is the deteriorating factors consider to workers especially in construction sector. They are simultaneously engaging in economic and non-economic activities. The aim of this paper is to investigate socio-economic conditions and special emphasis has given to identify the work related problems of building construction workers in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha. Methods/Statistical analysis: The study largely relays on field data. A sample size of 300 building construction respondents were selected from the district by employing simple random sampling method. The respondents were interviewed with a well-structured schedule. Simple percentage and regression analysis was used to interpret the data. A multiple regression analysis has been conducted to show the economic impact of the construction work on the construction workers. The Garret Ranking Technique is used for analysing the study of problems faced by unorganised workers in Mayurbhanj District. Findings: In this multiple regression analysis saving is dependent variable whereas income, expenditure and type of work are independent variables. Income and expenditure are significant at 1 percent level and type of work is significant at 10 percent level. In the result of Garret Ranking the health hazards problem got the first rank with 89.44%, followed by ‘Heavy Physical Work got the second rank with 89.11 per cent of workers. This study concluded with some suggestions for improvement of the unorganised workers socio-economic conditions. KEY WORDS: Building workers, socio-economic Condition, work-site problems, Regression Analysis, Garret- Ranking Technique.

UNDERSTANDING THE FUNDAMENTALS AND DYNAMICS OF THE GIG EMPLOYMENT LANDSCAPE IN INDIA

The Gig Economy in India has emerged as a significant force in reshaping the traditional employment landscape, and offering unique opportunities for workers seeking flexible work arrangements. This article explores the dynamic and evolving nature of the gig economy in India and its impact on gig workers. The first part of the article introduces the historical and analytical concept of the terms gig economy, gig workers, platform workers and app-based workers. the author uses various illustrations to coin the terms and differentiate between them legally and technically.The second part of the paper revolves around certain challenges for gig workers in India because of the absence of formal employment relationship and categorisation as independent workers. This part raises arguments of social security under the Indian legal system. The arguments are substantiated around denial of essential benefits, social protections, and job security and other raising concerns for gig workers about their constitutional labour and economic rights.In the last part the author argues around the position of unorganised workers before and after Social Security Code 2021 and gives an in-depth analysis of the changes in legal regime and status of gig workers in the last one decade. Overall, the article sheds light on the complexities of the gig economy in India.

Pervasiveness of work-related Musculoskeletal Disorders on Indian construction workers

Indian construction involves a large number of organized and unorganized workers. There is always a risk of accidents, injuries and disability due to working in an awful, inconvenient workplace and unfavourable conditions. Construction workers work in static, dynamic and awkward postures throughout the day. The work duration, frequency of working and working technique has led to the development of Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in construction workers in India. The study was conducted to corroborate the feeling of pain in different body parts by construction workers and its association with an individual risk factor, physical risk factors and psychosocial risk factors. Information was collected from four-hundred and sixty-five workers doing various construction works. The statistical analysis (Pearson correlation and Binary Logistic Regression Analysis) was performed to confirm the feeling of pain with individual, physical and psychosocial risk factors. The result shows that there is a significant relationship between pain and working in an awkward posture, age, and years of experience. Workers are exposed to the lower back (72.90%), shoulders (49.68%), arms/hands (47.31%), wrists (30.75%), legs (26.67%), neck (24.09%), fingers/thumbs (23.23%) and knees (16.13%). The result also shows that construction workers work in stressful, painful, tedious conditions and awkward postures. For the development of musculoskeletal disorders, working in an awkward posture, year of experience, doing pervasive jobs, traumatic incidents and age are more responsible for which detailed investigation is required.

Overplaying-Welfarism and Social Security: The Case of the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Worker’s Welfare Board

The Union Ministry of Labour and Employment notes that the unorganized sector of workers constitutes about 93% of India’s labour workforce. Despite the presence of a vast majority- the role of welfare policies and their impact on the unorganised labour workforce has largely been unascertained. This can be seen with the exclusion of unorganised workers with the various benefits under the new labour codes, despite substantive recommendations by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Labour on the same. The Building and Other Construction Workers (Regulation of Employment and Conditions of Service) Act, 1996 provides for the establishment of State Welfare Boards that use the construction cess collected to formulate various welfare schemes for the benefit of construction workers. The Supreme Court in the year 2012 expressed grave concerns about the ineffective utilization of funds by the State Welfare Boards, and in this regard, a Model Welfare Scheme was formulated in 2016. Using data from the annual reports of the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board-this paper finds glaring inconsistencies in the current schemes formulated by the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board, such as the inclusion of schemes not envisaged under the Model Welfare Scheme and not meeting the necessary conditions envisaged under the Model Welfare Scheme to name a few. The paper compares the schemes along with the ILO’s Convention 102 on Social Security- asserting that despite India being a non-signatory to the convention- its mandate on the minimum standards of social security needs to be followed. Such disparity in the formulation of welfare schemes not only ensures that the intended beneficiaries of such schemes continue to be left out of the result of welfare, but it also adds an unnecessary burden on the State both in terms of expenditure and resources. The paper recommends significant policy reforms such as the removal of schemes contrary to both the Model Welfare Scheme and the ILO Convention 102 on Social Security and larger transparency on scheme-wise expenditure for better implementation of welfare schemes by the Karnataka Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.

Skill Development Initiatives for Unorganized Workers in Construction Sector

Unorganized workers need to be targeted for the skill development which will maximize their efficiency and will improve their standard of living and will help in the economic growth of the nation. Government and Private bodies have initiated several skill development programmes for the unorganized workers. This paper describes few of these Initiatives to understand the mechanisms as well as some limitations and shortfall of such skill development programmes.

Formalisation of Workforce and Legal Protection Including Social Security for Unorganised or Informal Workers

The casual or sloppy area assumes a huge part in numerous economies, utilizing an enormous piece of the labor force. However, these workers frequently do not have access to legal protections, such as benefits from social security, making them susceptible to exploitation and economic instability. The formalization of the workforce and the implementation of legal frameworks to provide social security for informal or unorganized workers are the subjects of this research paper. It offers policy suggestions to improve the conditions of informal workers, highlights successful case studies from various regions, and examines the difficulties and benefits of formalization. According to the findings, the well-being of informal workers can be improved and inclusive economic growth promoted by formalization in conjunction with comprehensive legal protections and social security measures. Recognizing and incorporating informal workers into legal frameworks and social security systems, guaranteeing their rights, and improving their overall working conditions are all components of formalizing the workforce. Legal safeguards like minimum wage laws, occupational health and safety regulations, and anti-discrimination laws must be extended to the informal sector. Governments, trade unions, employers' associations, and organizations representing civil society all need to work together on this formalization process. The formalization of the labor force and the arrangement of lawful assurances, including government backed retirement, offer various advantages. It improves social cohesion, encourages inclusive economic growth, and helps to reduce poverty. The productivity and efficacy of the informal sector can be enhanced, the transition to formal employment can be made easier, and economic growth can be sparked by formalizing the workforce. Equal treatment and access to rights for all workers, regardless of employment status, ensures social justice, empowers workers, and reduces inequality. While formalizing the labor force and carrying out legitimate insurances for chaotic or casual specialists is an intricate and long haul process, it is pivotal for making a more impartial and practical work market. Governments and stakeholders can work toward creating an environment where all workers are afforded equal opportunities, protection, and social security, fostering a more just and resilient society by prioritizing the formalization agenda and adopting inclusive policies.

Food Accessibility of Unorganized Workers in India

Food Accessibility of Unorganized Workers in India

Analysing the Social Security Issue of Unorganised Sector in India

As we all aware that India is swiftly transferring or selling their ownership in public enterprise to private players to increase efficiency, foster economic growth, enable competitiveness and for other reasons. But in storm of this privatisation state should be not allow to forget its social, constitutional and international obligation which is sine qua non for democratic setup. In India, total 50 crore workers are employed in organised and unorganised sector, out of which 45 crore workers employed in the unorganised sectors and 50-70 lakhs of workers join labour market annually. Probably this digit will increase in future due to mass privatisation and overpopulation. According to National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector (2007), unorganised workers are “those working in the unorganised enterprises or households, excluding regular workers with social security benefits, and the workers in the formal sector without any employer/social security benefits provided by the employers.” Often unorganised sector work considers as precarious work because its offer insecure, unprotected, short-term and poorly paid jobs with no social security. Protection and promotion of rights of these workers has become more unfeasible when we study that top 10% of the Indian population holds 77% of the total national wealth and only a 1% wealth has been increased of 67 million people in year 2017. Mostly, workers employed in this sector belongs to underprivileged section of society having low level of skills and education which make situation worse. In this paper, author seeks to identify the rights of unorganised workers under national as well international law and issues affecting their working and living condition and responsibility of government to maintain the minimum standard of living of these workers and save them from exploitation.