Abstract
The aim of this paper is to examine the level of female workforce participation and quality of employment in rural Jharkhand based on primary survey conducted in 1300 households spread across 7 districts. The study has used mixed method approach to understand the work status and barriers faced by women in accessing quality of employment. Our main findings are that rather than geographic factors, female labour force participation varies more with social norms, which usually work in tandem with economic position of a household as reflected in land and asset holdings. In addition, the cultural norms that assign most of the household responsibilities and unpaid work to women prevent them from accessing paid work opportunities. We also find that there exists gender wage gap both in casual wage and in regular salaried job with women workers at a disadvantage. There is a need to design the skilling and employment opportunities for them which will be suitable for the women to balance both paid and domestic work and to close the gender gap in wages and salaries.
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Source: Primary Survey, 2018
Source: Primary Survey, 2018
Source: Primary Survey, 2018
Source: Primary Survey 2018
Source: Primary Survey 2018
Source: Primary Survey 2018
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Notes
Source: Datta et al (2020). Based on Usual Principal and Subsidiary Status (UPSS) for 15 years and above.
Based on Tendulkar poverty line, 2011–12.
Poverty line for 2018 is recalculated by inflating the 2011–12 Tendulkar poverty line.
An earlier survey conducted by IHD in 1999–2000 in three villages of Jharkhand found evidence of a lot of secondary activity for women, and thus high WPR based on UPSS (Usual Principal and Subsidiary Status).
The earlier 1999–2000 survey indicated a much lower female WPR of 20 percent for women aged 15–59 years (UPS).
Mutual cooperation and helping out members of the community is the hallmark of indigenous communities. The practice of “Madait” is a system of getting help in exchange for a meal and drink for the helper and his whole family. On some special occasions, the cooperation of the whole village is required, for example during paddy transplantation, weddings, etc. (source: https://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2020/03/madait-the-adivasi-spirit-of-volunteerism-and-cooperation/).
All the work participation rates discussed here are based on UPS.
Based on UPSS for 15 years and above.
See Datta et al (2020) for a detailed overview.
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Endow, T., Dutta, S. Female Workforce Participation and Vulnerability in Employment: Evidence from Rural Jharkhand. Ind. J. Labour Econ. 65, 483–502 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41027-022-00376-8
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s41027-022-00376-8