Low pay among wage earners and the self-employed in India

Type Journal Article - International Labour Review
Title Low pay among wage earners and the self-employed in India
Author(s)
Volume 151
Issue 3
Publication (Day/Month/Year) 2012
Page numbers 221-242
URL http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bpl/ilr/2012/00000151/00000003/art00005
Abstract
While inequality and poverty in India have been much studied, little attention has been given to the underlying role of the labour market. To help remedy this gap, the authors examine low pay in India, giving particular attention to its magnitude, characteristics and determinants. An absolute low-pay threshold is calculated that, if reached, would provide workers with a decent livelihood. Using household-level micro-data that cover wage earners and the self-employed, the authors find that roughly half of India's workforce is low-paid, revealing a serious “decent work” deficit. They propose policies to improve wages and productivity and thereby boost earnings.

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