“This humanity is male and man defines woman not in herself, but as relative to him; she is not regarded as an autonomous being…..She is defined and differentiated with reference to a man and not he with reference to her; she is the incidental, the inessential as opposed to the essential. He is the subject, he is the Absolute- she is the other”.
Simone de Beauvoir
Introduction:
The term “unorganised sector” when used in the Indian context is defined by National Commission for Enterprises in Unorganised Sector, in their Report on Conditions of Work and Promotion of Livelihoods in the Unorganised Sector as “… consisting of all unincorporated private enterprises owned by individuals or households engaged in the sale or production of goods and services operated on a proprietary or partnership basis and with less than ten total workers.[1]
As per the ‘Ministry of Labour and Employment’, Unorganised Sector means an enterprise owned by individuals or self-employed workers and engaged in the production or sale of goods or providing service of any kind whatsoever and where the enterprise employs workers, the number of such workers is less than 10.
Section 2 of the Unorganised Workers’ Social Security Act, 2008 defines unorganised sector as follows; “unorganised sector” means an enterprise owned by individuals or self-employed workers and engaged in the production or sale of goods or providing service of any kind whatsoever, and where the enterprise employs workers, the number of such workers is less than ten. [2]
In India, many women are found working in unorganised sectors to earn their livelihood. The condition of female workers are poor in terms of workforce participation, working condition and level of exploitation. The International Labour Organization says that women represent; i) 50% of the population, ii) 30% of the labour force, iii) Perform 60% of all working hours, iv) Revive 10% of world’s income and v) Own less than 1% of the world’s property.[3]
Problems Faced by Women in Unorganised Sectors in India
Illiteracy: Lack of proper and adequate education among the women in the society is a basic and preliminary problem that women face while working in unorganised sectors in India. Mostly in Rural India, due to poverty, the women at an early age, have to leave their home and start working in different fields which includes organised as well as unorganised sectors. Due to lack of education, they are generally employed in unorganised sectors.
Poverty: Poverty again is one of the pioneer reasons for which many women in both urban, as well as rural India, joins in unorganised sectors to earn their livelihood and support their family. Generally, it is not for the reason of self-development or independence, rather it is for their bread earning.
Lack of Proper Skills: Most of the women who work in unorganised sectors are unskilled and lacks proper knowledge in the field in which they are working. So, lack of proper knowledge and no formal training of the women working in different sectors tantamount to a great problem which they face at every moment during their course of employment.
Non-payment of Proper Wages: The Labour Laws in India prescribes for equal payment of wages irrespective of class, caste, gender etc. But in reality, it is often found that women are paid much lower wage compared to that of the men working in the unorganised sectors since the payment in unorganised sectors are never fixed by the Government.
Exploitation of Working Women: The women workers in an unorganised sector are most vulnerable to get exploited by the employers. Mostly, women in these sectors are both physically as well as mentally exploited by the employers under whom they work and they are often afraid since they are in fear of losing the job.
Seasonal Employment: The women employed in unorganised sectors are mostly employed for a particular period in a year and does not have the scope and opportunity to work all around the year thereby their economic conditions are always poor.
Non-enjoyment of Economic Benefits: The economic benefits like structured leaves, medical facilities, provident fund, compensatory off, insurance, pension etc. are completely absent in case of women working in unorganised sectors.
Huge Work Pressure: The women working in the unorganised sectors in India have to take excess work pressure, more particularly the need to take work pressure much more than that of their physical strength and national statistics show that many women suffer tremendously for working extra hours and many of them also die during their course of employment without being able to cope up with the huge work pressure.
Provisions of Social Security may be ensured to Working Women in Unorganised Sectors in India
In India, the Legislature has introduced many laws to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for the female workers – the Trade Union Act (1926), the Minimum Wages Act (1948), the Maternity Benefits Act (1961), etc. Most recently passed act is the Unorganised Workers Social Security Act of 2008, which provides benefits to workers registered with the District Administration, including some health insurance and maternity benefits. Though these laws are there still health and health services remain unsatisfactory. The Central Government in association with the different State Governments has taken special measures to protect the women workers in the unorganised sector.
The most dangerous situation faced by the working class in the area of the unorganised sector is the increasing threat of losing the job. Unorganised sector is growing very fast but is not having any of the framed guidelines it should have. Even in the presence of guidelines, they are not properly implemented.
To give the workers freedom from “Hire and Fire”, the BJP led Central Government has already introduced ‘fixed term’ employment through an administrative order. The Factories Act, The Dock Workers act and The Mines Act are the regulations with the provisions to regulate the health of the workers in the industrial sector. The Employees State Insurance Act and the Workmen’s Compensation Act provide health benefits and compensation to the women workers in cases of ill-health and injuries, accidents etc. but, in the unorganised sector where the majority of Female workers are concentrated, no occupational safety and health safeguards are in place. Even in the organised sector, where these are applicable, safeguards are rarely provided for the women workers.
Usually, the safety devices are designed keeping the male workers in view and become unsuitable for women workers. Besides, the social aspects of work are not considered risk factors. As a result, more emphasis is given to work-related accidents than to illnesses. Inappropriate and unscientifically manufactured safety devices are provided to the women working in the unorganised sectors thereby making them more vulnerable in respect of their Social Security.
Conclusion
“You can tell the condition of a nation by looking at the status of its women”.
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru
The unorganised sector in India has mostly cropped up in rural areas. Poverty and unemployment in the larger section of the society forced Women Workers to join unorganised sectors to earn their livelihood. Statistical analysis shows that the participation of women in this sector is much more compared to that of men, though the women are mostly subjected to various social problems during their employment. Their condition is highly unpredictable and have constraints related to their work such as insecurity, wage discrimination, absence of medical and accidental care, lack of continuity etc. It is a very high time to address these issues and to frame a proper scientific policy to combat the social security issues which every women face while working in the unorganised sectors. The main aim of framing such policy shall be nothing but women empowerment provided that such must ensure social security of women working in unorganised sectors in India.
References:
[1] Report On Conditions Of Work And Promotion Of Livelihoods In The Unorganised Sector. Academic Foundation. (2008, January, 1. p.1774.)
[2]https://www.advocatekhoj.com/library/bareacts/unorganised/2.php?Title=Unorganised%20Workers%20Social%20Security%20Act,%202008&STitle=Definitions
[3] Dr.Minakshi Kumawat (2015, December, 2) International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research, http://www.socialsciencejournal.in/download/124/1-2-28-856.pdf
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