Author(s): Ashish Kumar Biswas and Chandrima Chatterjee
This work is with respect to labour security of women workers in urban informal sector in West Bengal, India. We use the word “labour security” and “social security” in this work interchangeably, although they do not exactly mean the same things. While social security is a much broader concept which applies to all the people irrespective of whether they are in the labour force of the country at a time or not, labour security is defined as providing certain benefits (other than wage payments) to a labourer as his/her right or entitlement(s). However, the present study examines whether women workers in urban informal sector enjoy any labour security or not. A primary survey has been carried out in selected districts of West Bengal, India and a labour-security index is calculated based on the variables captured through primary survey. Status of labour security between men and women in informal sector is also captured in this study. Finally, the paper renders some useful policy recommendations in order to improve the condition of informal workers, especially women workers.