Professional Courses
Industry-relevant training in Business, Technology, and Design to help professionals and graduates upskill for real-world careers.
Categories
Interactive Games
Fun, engaging games to boost memory, math fluency, typing speed, and English skills—perfect for learners of all ages.
Typing
Memory
Math
English Adventures
Knowledge
Enroll to start learning
You’ve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Vulnerability of Workers in the Unorganised Sector
Unlock Audio Lesson
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson
Today, we will discuss the protection of workers in the unorganised sector. Can anyone tell me what the unorganised sector is?
Is it the part of the economy that isn't regulated, like casual jobs?
Exactly! This sector is not regulated and often has workers facing exploitation. For example, many street vendors or casual laborers earn very low wages. Why do you think more people are ending up in this sector?
I think it’s because there are fewer jobs in the organised sector now.
Right! Since the 1990s, many organised jobs have disappeared, pushing people to take less secure, lower-paid work. Let's remember 'LWS' - Low Wages, Secure jobs, which should be on our minds when discussing this topic.
Is this situation worse for some groups?
Great question! Yes, workers from scheduled castes, tribes, and backward communities often face social discrimination, adding to their challenges.
In summary, unorganised sector workers are vulnerable due to low pay and job insecurity, and specific communities face increased barriers.
Economic and Social Support Needs
Unlock Audio Lesson
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Lesson
Now that we understand who the vulnerable workers are, let's talk about what they need for support. What kind of help do you think is essential?
They need better wages and job security, right?
Absolutely! They need low-interest loans, fair compensation, and skills training. What other areas might they require assistance in?
What about access to markets for their goods?
Spot on! Access to markets and good facilities for gaining agricultural inputs can transform their lives. Let's remember this acronym: 'SAGE' - Seeds, Access, Grants, Employment. These areas are key for economic upliftment.
Is there a role for the government in supporting these workers?
Definitely! Government support is vital. They can set up frameworks to ensure fair treatment and compliance with laws, which I mentioned last time as the 'LWS' principle.
In summary, unorganised sector workers need comprehensive assistance from all fronts—economic, social, and governmental—to thrive.
Introduction & Overview
Read a summary of the section's main ideas. Choose from Basic, Medium, or Detailed.
Quick Overview
Standard
As opportunities in the organised sector slow down, many workers are pushed into the unorganised sector where they face exploitation, low wages, and social discrimination. The section calls for various supportive measures for both rural and urban unorganised workers to ensure their economic stability and social acceptance.
Detailed
How to Protect Workers in the Unorganised Sector?
The protection of workers in the unorganised sector has gained importance as the formal job market becomes increasingly competitive. This sector, which includes a majority of rural households like landless agricultural labourers and small-scale urban workers like street vendors, is plagued by low wages and precarious job security. The decline of jobs in the organised sector, especially since the 1990s, has pushed many workers to seek employment in the unorganised sector, where they often face exploitation.
In rural communities, about 80% of households fall into the small and marginal farmers category, which necessitates support in terms of timely access to seeds, credit, and good market practices. Meanwhile, urban workers in small-scale industries or casual jobs need similar governmental backing to secure their rights. Furthermore, people from scheduled castes, tribes, and backward communities are disproportionately represented in this sector, facing both economic and social injustices.
This section advocates for comprehensive support systems that would not only improve economic conditions for unorganised workers but also foster social inclusion, making it essential for sustained development.
Youtube Videos
Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Job Market Overview
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
The organised sector offers jobs that are the most sought-after. But the employment opportunities in the organised sector have been expanding very slowly. It is also common to find many organised sector enterprises in the unorganised sector. They adopt such strategies to evade taxes and refuse to follow laws that protect labourers.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk discusses the job market landscape, revealing that although jobs in the organised sector are desirable, their availability is growing at a slow pace. Additionally, some organised sector businesses operate within the unorganised sector to avoid taxes and labor laws, thereby creating a challenging environment for workers.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a well-known restaurant that belongs to a larger chain. This restaurant usually hires within its operational guidelines, following health and safety laws. However, if it privately hires workers under the table—evading taxes and neglecting wage laws—it creates a situation like the unorganised sector, putting these workers at risk.
Prevalence of Unorganised Jobs
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
As a result, a large number of workers are forced to enter the unorganised sector jobs, which pay a very low salary. They are often exploited and not paid a fair wage. Their earnings are low and not regular. These jobs are not secure and have no other benefits.
Detailed Explanation
This segment highlights the plight of workers in the unorganised sector, emphasizing their low and inconsistent earnings. It points out that many of these workers face exploitation, receiving unfair wages and lacking job security or additional benefits that could support their livelihoods.
Examples & Analogies
Think of street vendors who rely on daily sales to make a living. One day, they may sell enough to eat well, but if business is slow, they might go hungry. This instability illustrates the absence of regular and secure income in the unorganised sector.
Impact of Economic Changes
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
Since the 1990s, it is also common to see a large number of workers losing their jobs in the organised sector. These workers are forced to take up jobs in the unorganised sector with low earnings.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk addresses the economic shifts since the 1990s, noting that many workers are laid off from organised jobs, leading them to find work in the unorganised sector. This transition often results in lower wages and job stability, amplifying the issues facing these individuals.
Examples & Analogies
Imagine a factory worker who, after years of stable employment, suddenly finds themselves laid off due to company downsizing. With limited options, they might start selling homemade snacks on the street. While this provides some income, it doesn't compare to their previous job.
Identifying Vulnerable Workers
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
Who are these vulnerable people who need protection? In the rural areas, the unorganised sector mostly comprises landless agricultural labourers, small and marginal farmers, sharecroppers and artisans (such as weavers, blacksmiths, carpenters and goldsmiths).
Detailed Explanation
This section categorizes the vulnerable populations in rural areas who often work in the unorganised sector. It includes landless agricultural workers and various types of artisans. Understanding these groups is crucial for implementing protective measures.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a small village where many people are skilled at crafts, like weaving or blacksmithing. Despite their talents, they struggle without market support or fair pricing for their goods, leaving them vulnerable in a competitive economy.
Support for Rural Workers
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
Nearly 80 per cent of rural households in India are in small and marginal farmer category. These farmers need to be supported through adequate facility for timely delivery of seeds, agricultural inputs, credit, storage facilities and marketing outlets.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk emphasizes the significant percentage of rural households that fall under small and marginal farmers. It discusses the types of support these farmers require, including access to seeds, credit, and marketing facilities to improve their livelihoods and stability.
Examples & Analogies
Consider farmers who need seeds to plant crops each season. Without timely access to good-quality seeds or financial assistance, they risk failing to grow enough food, which impacts their income and food security significantly.
Urban Unorganised Workers
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
In the urban areas, unorganised sector comprises mainly of workers in small-scale industry, casual workers in construction, trade and transport, and those who work as street vendors, head load workers, garment makers, rag pickers etc.
Detailed Explanation
This section outlines the types of jobs found in the urban unorganised sector, including various low-wage and insecure positions. Identifying these roles helps understand the urban employment landscape and the need for regulatory support.
Examples & Analogies
Picture a construction site where day laborers are hired for a few hours without any contract. They are paid for each day's work but have no assurance of ongoing employment or benefits, which exemplifies the precarious nature of urban unorganised jobs.
Caste and Community Impact on Employment
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
We also find that majority of workers from scheduled castes, tribes and backward communities find themselves in the unorganised sector. Besides getting the irregular and low-paid work, these workers also face social discrimination.
Detailed Explanation
This chunk highlights the disproportionate representation of marginalized communities in the unorganised sector. It points out that these workers not only endure economic challenges but also deal with social discrimination, which compounds their hardships.
Examples & Analogies
Think of a talented artisan from a scheduled caste who struggles to sell their products due to social biases, resulting in lower sales and exploitation. This reality illustrates how social factors intertwine with economic status.
Need for Protective Measures
Unlock Audio Book
Signup and Enroll to the course for listening the Audio Book
Protection and support to the unorganised sector workers is thus necessary for both economic and social development.
Detailed Explanation
This concluding chunk emphasizes the necessity of implementing protective measures for unorganised sector workers. It argues that supporting these individuals is critical for enhancing economic conditions and fostering social equity.
Examples & Analogies
Consider how providing a safety net, like better wages and social support systems, could empower unorganised workers. If these measures are enacted, it would not only improve their conditions but also foster stronger communities and a healthier economy.
Definitions & Key Concepts
Learn essential terms and foundational ideas that form the basis of the topic.
Key Concepts
-
Vulnerability: Unorganised workers lack job security and face low wages.
-
Economic Support: Essential managerial and financial aid needed for unorganised workers.
-
Social Discrimination: Certain communities face added hurdles beyond economic issues.
Examples & Real-Life Applications
See how the concepts apply in real-world scenarios to understand their practical implications.
Examples
-
An artisan producing handmade goods may struggle to find buyers and receive fair compensation.
-
A casual laborer may be paid daily wages that do not cover basic living costs.
Memory Aids
Use mnemonics, acronyms, or visual cues to help remember key information more easily.
🎵 Rhymes Time
-
In the unorganised race, workers must face, low wages with no trace, of security or grace.
📖 Fascinating Stories
-
Imagine Asha, a street vendor, selling flowers every day. Despite her hard work, she struggles to earn enough to feed her family, illustrating the trials of unorganised workers.
🧠 Other Memory Gems
-
Remember 'LOW IS SAD': Low wages, Insecure jobs, Social barriers, Additional Needs for support, which defines the challenges of unorganised labor.
🎯 Super Acronyms
SAGE
- Seeds
- Access
- Grants
- Employment needed to uplift unorganised workers.
Flash Cards
Review key concepts with flashcards.
Glossary of Terms
Review the Definitions for terms.
-
Term: Unorganised Sector
Definition:
A segment of the economy consisting of jobs that are not regulated or protected by the government, including casual laborers and small-scale vendors.
-
Term: Exploitation
Definition:
Taking unfair advantage of someone, often through low pay or poor working conditions.
-
Term: Scheduled Castes and Tribes
Definition:
Groups of people in India who face social and economic disadvantages and discrimination.