A STUDY ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY OF UNORGANIZED WORKERS IN NAGAPATTINAM DISTRICT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO "UNORGANISED WORKERS

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1 A STUDY ON THE SOCIAL SECURITY OF UNORGANIZED WORKERS IN NAGAPATTINAM DISTRICT WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO "UNORGANISED WORKERS SOCIAL SECURITY ACT, 2008" Dr. G. RAJENDRAN Associate Professor and Research Advisor, Head of Department of Commerce, Poompuhar College (Autonomous) -Melaiyur Mrs. S. HEMA Ph.D., Research Scholar and Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce Poompuhar College (Autonomous) -Melaiyur ABSTRACT The social security system needs to be effective and constructive and should have of more and more coverage areas. The government should get the confidence of the working class to protect them from uncertain contingencies so that they can happily contribute towards social security benefits. This article highlights A Study on the social security of unorganized workers in Nagapattinam District with special Reference to "Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008" KEY WORDS: Social Security Act 2008, Unorganized Workers, National Social Security Board, International Social Security Association INTRODUCTION An Act of 33 of the year 2008 was enacted by the Parliament of India with the short title as the Unorganised Sector Workers Social Security Act, This Central Government Act is provided with the purpose and object of providing social security and welfare of the unorganized workers. The legislation was assented by the President of India on 30th day of December 2008 and the provisions of this Act were extended to the whole of Indian territories. The provisions of the Act are divided into six chapters containing several Page 59

2 provisions, and the first Chapter therein makes preliminary provisions including short titling, extension and commencement of the Act. The Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008 also provides for constitution of National Social Security Board which shall recommend social security schemes such as life and disability cover, health and maternity benefits, old age protection and any other benefit as may be determined by the Government for unorganized workers. The National Social Security Board was constituted vide Notification number S.O 2132 (E) dated Unorganised Sector "The unorganised sector consists of all unincorporated private enterprises owned by individuals or households engaged in the sale and production of goods and services operated on a proprietary or partnership basis and with less than ten total workers". Unorganised Workers Unorganized worker means a home-based worker, self-employed worker or a wage worker in the unorganized sector and includes a worker in the organized sector who is not covered by any Acts mentioned in Schedule II of the Unorganized Workers Social security Act Unorganised worker means a self-employed worker or a wage worker in the unorganised sector and includes wage workers in the organised sector without any social security cover. Social Security Act Social security may be defined as any programme of social protection established by legislation, or any other mandatory arrangement, that provides individuals with a degree of income security when faced with the contingencies of old age, survivorship, incapacity, disability, unemployment or rearing children. It may also offer access to curative or preventive medical care. As defined by the International Social Security Association (an international institution to promote dynamic social security), social security can include social insurance programmes, social assistance programmes, universal programmes, mutual benefit schemes, national provident funds, and other arrangements including market-oriented approaches that, in accordance with national law or practice, form part of a country's social security system. NEED FOR THE STUDY Workers play an important role in the industrial production of the country. Hence, organizations have to secure the cooperation of workers in order to increase the production and to earn higher profits. The cooperation of workers is possible only when they are fully satisfied with their employer and the working conditions on the job. In the past, industrialists and the employers believed that their only duty towards their workers was to pay them satisfactory wages and salaries. In course of time, they realised that workers require something more important. In addition to providing monetary benefits, human treatment given to workers plays a very important role in seeking their sectors. The sectors having realised the importance of welfare and social security measures introduced several welfare schemes for its workers and the families. For instance, the company provides statutory welfare facilities like drinking water, conservancy, medical appliances, canteen, rest shelters, crèches and the like. It also provides various non-statutory welfare facilities such as medical, education, recreation, housing/quarters and so on. Further, it provides social security measures like provident fund, gratuity, pension, dependent employment etc. In short, due to the welfare and social security measures provided by the company, its workers have been working with involvement and commitment. Consequently, the performance of the company is quite commendable. Against this background, a study has been undertaken on the research topic-a Study on the Social Security of unorganized workers in Nagapattinam district with reference to unorganized workers social security act Page 60

3 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY The study is of great significance for it ascertains the opinions of workers on welfare and social security measures in a private sector undertaking like unorganized workers. The assessment of workers welfare and social security measures will be of immense help to the management of the company and also the government for the formulation of sound employee oriented policies in future. Further, the study provides scope for implementing changes in the policies relating to unorganized workers and social security measures. The study would be highly helpful for further research in related areas of study on the social security of unorganised workers in Nagapattinam district with special reference to "Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, SCOPE OF THE STUDY The present study is an attempt to make an enquiry into the various facets of employee welfare and social security measures in unorganized workers Nagapattinam District, Tamilnadu. The scope of the present study is both wide and narrow. It is wide because it covers almost all the components of welfare and social security measures. The scope of the study could also be viewed as narrow for it covers only one unorganized sector. This need not be a limitation of the study as an in-depth enquiry lends itself to incisive analysis and comprehensive coverage to get better insight into the issue relating employee welfare and social security. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM As mentioned earlier, a large number of women are working in the informal sector. They face a number of problems also. In India, the patriarchal society imposes a lot of restrictions on women. This causes less freedom for women in the society and exploitation at the work place. Women face sexual harassment and the pressures of the family responsibilities together at the work place. Street vendors usually face this problem. I will behave men used to harass them by passing rude comments. Another major issue for the women vendors is the absence of toilets near the work place. This will in turn lead to various diseases especially urinary infections. Women domestic workers also face similar problems. They face sexual harassment and many a times their working conditions are very bad. Migrant domestic workers face such difficulties in a more intense manner. Sometimes the recruiting agents compel the women to misuse and various (sexual) problems. They are forced to work for about 16 hours a day. Also they are paid very less and due to the lack of bargaining power, they are not in a position to demand more. They are replaced frequently, in case of better wage demands, as they are in surplus in the market. Hence, the researcher has selected of study on the social security of unorganised workers in Nagapattinam district with special reference to "Unorganised Workers Social Security Act, 2008, as his study area. The statement of the problem is as under: OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY The main objective of the study is to inquire into the unorganized workers and social security measures provided to workers and the specific objectives are as follows. 1. To study the review of previous literature related to unorganized sectors and social security act To examine the employers attitude so as to know whether the provision of welfare and social security benefits of unorganized sectors in Nagapattinam district. 3. To analyse the opinions of workers about the provision of welfare and social security benefits and also to know the adequacy of these facilities in Nagapattinam district. 4. To make appropriate and relevant recommendations for improving the social security benefits and unorganized workers. Page 61

4 HYPOTHESES Ho 1: There is no association between unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their in service and after service benefits of the respondents. Ho 2: There is no association between unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their demographic profile of the respondents. METHODOLOGY OF THE STUDY The present study is a combination of historical and survey methods. The historical method is used in tracing the genesis, policies and practices relating to the employers of unorganized sectors, the study in order to explore and analyse the various welfare and social security benefits provided by the employer to its workers. In the present study, social security of unorganized workers in Nagapattinam is taken as the unit of study and almost all the facets of welfare and social security measures have been studied in depth. The collection of opinions of workers and also employers constituted the survey method in the study. Primary Data The primary data were collected directly from the sample employers and workers through a well-devised interview schedule. Primary data were collected from sample 1870 respondents from Nagapattinam district of Tamil Nadu. Secondary Data The sources of secondary data are publications, various other unpublished works like Ph.D. Theses, M.Phil, dissertations and other Research Reports, Books, Journal, articles research articles, magazines, reports, newspapers and websites, for the collection of some source materials. SELECTION OF SAMPLE PROCEDURES As it was felt to take up a study on unorganised workers and social security benefits in unorganised sectors, the investigator wrote to a number of unorganised sectors in Nagapattinam district. The unorganised sectors include hotel, traders, transportation, rice mills, construction work, laundries, tailoring shop, handicraft works and pot making works, barber shop and other business works in Nagapattinam district. The unorganised sectors also permitted the researcher to elicit the views of employers and workers welfare and social security measures in unorganised workers of Nagapattinam district. Hence, the study is confined finally to Nagapattinam district (totally eight Taluks but only taken two Taluks namely Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai Taluks). An 1870 sample, which include 1648 workers and 222 employers have been chosen from the two interview schedule of unorganised workers and social security using proportionate stratified random sampling method adapted. The details of the sample distribution are shown in the Table 1. Table 1: Selection of Sample Distribution Total Total Selection of Sample S. No Name of the Taluks Employers Workers 30% Employers 30% Workers 1 Nagapattinam Taluk Mayiladuthurai Taluk Total Source: Labour Office of Nagapattinam and Mayiladuthurai STATISTICAL TOOLS USED The following statistical techniques had been applied depending on the nature of data collected from the respondents, Percentage analysis, Descriptive analysis; Chi-Square test, T-test and one way ANOVA. The reliability and validity analysis of the data in this study was analysed using Statistical Package for Social Page 62

5 Sciences (SPSS v 20.0). For analyzing the data collected during the investigation, the following statistical values were used according to the relevance of its application. PRE TESTING The pre testing was conducted among 10 from employers and another 40 from unorganized workers (workers). The reliability of variables in each construct was confirmed through the pilot study. On the basis of the result of pilot study, a certain modification in the statements or variables was made. The final schedule was prepared for data collection. Accordingly, the interview schedule has been restructured and the final schedule was prepared and approved by the research guide for conducting the field work. PERIOD OF THE STUDY The study covered only primary data is nine month from September 2014 and March This month is normal for the purpose of analysis and evaluation. ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION Nature of trade of the worker is very significant one for the useful study. For the analysis purpose business can be classified into twelve categories namely Hotel business, Traders, Home based works, Transportation, Rice Mills, Construction, Laundries, Tailoring shop, Handicraft works, Pot Making works, Barber shop and Others. It is presented in the following Table 2. Table 2: Nature of Trade are Employed Nature of Trade No. of Respondents Percentage Workers of Hotel Workers of traders Worker in Home Based Works Workers of transportation Workers of Rice Mills Workers of Construction Workers of Laundries Workers of Tailoring Shop Workers of Handicraft Works Workers of Pot Making Works Workers of Barber Shop Landless Agricultural Labourers Other Business Works The Table: 2 clearly indicates that most of the sample workers are employed in the landless agricultural (workers) labourers which states per cent and per cent of them employed in workers of construction which is next to the total. Among the sample workers 9.16 per cent of them worked in the hotels and 8.56 per cent workers working in the home based workers. From the study of the table 5.95 per cent and 5.22 per cent of the sample workers are employed transportation and traders respectively. Out of the sample 3.21 per cent of sample workers are employed in the tailoring shops and 2.61 per cent are barber shop. The study indicates that Page 63

6 1.88 per cent of them are laundries and 1.40 per cent of workers are worked in the rice mills. Further the table illustrates that 0.92 per cent of them worked other business works and rest of them employed pot making which shows the 0.61 per cent and 0.42 per cent of them Handicraft worked at the least. It is concludes from the table majority of the workers employed in the landless agricultural (workers) labourers. Nature of the Work of the Respondents Nature of work of the respondents is essential one because based on that analyses income level and their standard of living also determines in the effective manner. Nature of the work can be classified into eleven categories such as Accountant, Server, sales man, driver, mason, helper, manual work, barber, pot maker, washer man, and fitter. Table 3: Nature of the Work of the Respondents Nature of Work No. of Respondents Percentage Accountant Server Sales man Driver Mason Helper Manual workers Barber Pot maker Washer man Fitter It is clear from the Table: 3 that per cent of the workers are working in the manual worker and per cent of them worked as a helper. In order to find out the study per cent of the workers worked as a accountant and per cent of them working as a driver. Out of the total 7.46 per cent shows mason and 5.04 per cent and 4.98 per cent of them working as washer man and barber respectively. Among the study 2.55 per cent of sample worker worked in the field of fitter and 2.49 per cent workers show pot makers and salesman in the unorganized sectors. Period of service of the Respondents The service of the respondents indicates the number of years the respondents have been working in the unorganized sectors. Experience is an important factor in analyzing and in signifying the actions of opinion of the workers. The present study gives weightage to the experience of the workers. They are classified according to their level of experience below three years, 3 to 5 years, 5 to 8 years and above 8 years. The distribution of the respondents on the basis of experience is presented in Table 4. Table 4: Period of Service of the Respondents Period of Service No. of Respondents Percentage Below 3 years years -5 years years -8 years Above 8 years Page 64

7 It is observed from the Table: 4 that 742 (45.02 per cent) of the total respondents have 3-5 years experiences in the working of unorganized sectors. From the study 412 (25.00 per cent) of the respondents working in the unorganized sectors shows 5-8 years experience and 330 (20.02 per cent) of them below three working below three years. Only 164 (9.95 per cent) of the sample workers worked in above 8 years. As majority of respondents (742) have 3-5 years of experience and opinion expressed by them will be worth for the study. Duration of working hours of the Respondents Generally duration of working hours of the respondents is important one because it determines workers efficiency in their work. The analysis is made to know the actual working hours of the workers in the unorganized sectors. The working hours can be framed in to 8 hours, 9 hours and 10 hours above 10 hours. Table 5: Duration of Working Hours of the Respondents Working Hours No. of Respondents Percentage 8 Hours Hours Hours Above 10 Hours It is clear from the Table: 5 that majority of the sample workers working 9 hours in the unorganized sectors which is per cent. Among the total per cent of the respondents worked 10 hours in the organization and per cent of them working above 10 years. Out of the total only per cent of the respondents worked 8 hours. Shift basis of the Respondents Shift basis of the works may be reducing the stress of the workers. Further study can be made to identify whether the unorganized sector workers worked any shift basis or not. Table 6: Shift basis of the Respondents Shift Basis No. of Respondents Percentage Yes No The Table: 6 discloses that most of the sample workers of unorganized sectors agreed that they are not worked any shift basis which indicates per cent and rest of them working shift basis which is per cent. Shift time of the Respondents The above study give details about the workers worked in the shift basis. So an attempt is made to know the number of sample respondents who are mainly worked shift basis in the unorganized sectors. For the effective the shift of works categorize into morning shift, day shift, and night shift. Page 65

8 Table 7: Shift Time of the Respondents Shift Time No. of Respondents Percentage Morning Shift Day Shift Night Shift Total From the Table: 7 shows that come to know that 329 (44.40 per cent) of the sample respondents are working day shifts in the unorganized sectors. Out of the total per cent of them worked in night shift basis and remaining 165 (22.27 per cent) worked morning shift. Overtime Work of the Respondents It is found nowadays that overtime work in the organization is carried on as an extra income earning activity for the workers. The following table will help to find the results about that whether the workers worked in the unorganized sectors on overtime or not. Table 8: Overtime Work of the Respondents Overtime Work No. of Respondents Percentage Yes No The Table: 8 shows that majority of the sample unorganized sector workers worked overtime which is per cent and rest of them not worked overtime which shows per cent. Number of Hours of Overtime per day Further study can be conducted to find the results that number of hours worked by the workers on overtime in the unorganized sectors. The overtime hours are framed to three hours, four hours and above four hours. It is presented in the following table 9. Table 9: Number of Hours of Overtime per day Overtime Work No. of Respondents Percentage 3 Hours Hours Above 4 Hours Total The Table: 9 shows overtime works given by the employers of unorganized sectors to their workers that at least three hours which is per cent and per cent of them worked four hours. Out of the total only per cent of the workers worked above four hours. It is conclude from the study that overtime of four hours gives extra income to the workers but it also gives restless to the workers. Part-time basis of Works The unorganized sectors may allow working on part-time basis. Sometimes it will give advantage to the workers because they may work other sectors. So analysis is taken whether the workers worked on part-time basis of not. Page 66

9 Table 10: Part-time basis of Works Part-time No. of Respondents Percentage Yes No It is clear from the Table: 10 shows that majority of the workers agreed that they are not working parttime basis in the unorganized sectors which shows 1051 (63.77 per cent) and remaining of the total shows 597 (36.23 per cent). UNORGANISED WORKERS AND SOCIAL SECURITY ACT 2008 A further low skill level of this workforce provides little scope for them to move upright in the working steps to develop their financial condition. The growth of informal, vulnerable work with decrease formal employment compels the workers to tolerate an increasing direct burden of financing social needs, with adverse effects on their quality of life. That burden may also undermine the capacity of enterprises to compete with global economy. In order to make better employment opportunities at State level, the Government has launched a number of schemes. Social Security Received from the Workers The unorganized nature of the workforce, dispersed nature of operational processes and lack of institutional back up reduce their bargaining power and their ability to take full benefits from the Acts and legislations enacted for their benefits. Generally any social security received from the employer will help to the workers in future. The following table presented regarding social security of the workers. Table 11: Receive any Social Security from the Workers Social Security No. of Respondents Percentage Yes No From the Table: 11 most of the respondents of unorganized sector workers received at least one social security from the employer which is represented in the analysis is per cent and residual of the workers do not get any social security sachem from the employer which is per cent. In this way of analysis all the employers are advised to give any social security to their workers which are help to them in future. Type of Social Security received from the Workers The above study facilitates to find the response of the unorganized sector workers regarding social security. Further analysis is made to get the result of social security received from the employer which is in service benefits or after service benefits. Table 12: Type of Social Security received from the Workers Type of Social Security No. of Respondents Percentage In Service Benefits After Service Benefits Total Page 67

10 It is clear from the Table: 12 shows that majority of the sample respondents among all the categories get the benefits from their employer in service benefits, it reflects per cent and only per cent of the workers get such benefits from the employers is after service. Table 13: Unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their in service and after service benefits of the respondents Nature of Benefits Life and Health and Cash Accident Family Child Housing Disability Maternity loan Insurance Welfare Education Facility Covered Benefits Benefits Covered Service benefits In Service Benefits After Service Benefits Total Calculated chi-square value Degrees of freedom P Value Source: Computed from Primary data Ho 1: There is no association between unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their in service and after service benefits of the respondents. The Table: 13 show the unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their in service and after service benefits of the respondents. The calculated chi-square value (38.36) is also proved that, which is significant at 1% level. Hence the stated hypothesis is rejected. Nature of Benefits The previous table gives details about the benefits received by the workers from his employer whether it is an in service benefits or after service benefits. Again the useful study has been taken that nature of benefits received from the employer. It is discloses in the following table 14. Table 14: Nature of Benefits of Respondents Nature of Benefits No. of Respondents Percentage Life and Disability Covered Health and Maternity Benefits Cash loan Benefits Family Welfare Child Education Housing Facility Accident Insurance Covered Total It is observable from the Table: 14 reveals that employers are provides child education benefits to their workers which shows per cent and per cent of the workers get the benefits of Accident Insurance. Total Page 68

11 From the analysis per cent of them get life and disability cover and per cent get health and maternity benefits. Family welfare and housing facility gives by the employer which is 8.76 per cent respectively and only 8.59 per cent of the workers get cash loan facilities from the employers. Chi-Square Test- (Unorganised Workers and Social Security Act) The following nature of benefits are received from Unorganised Workers and Social Security Act connected from demographic profile namely sex, age, marital status, literacy level, monthly income, size of family members, nature of family, period of service and duration of working hours. Table 15: Unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their sex of the respondents Nature of Benefits Sex Life and Disability Covered Health and Maternity Benefits Cash loan Benefits Family Welfare Child Education Housing Facility Accident Insurance Covered Male Female Total Total Calculated chi-square value Degrees of freedom P Value Source: Computed from Primary data Ho 1: There is no association between unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their demographic profile of the respondents. The Table: 15 shows that unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their sex of the respondents. The calculated chi-square value (15.35) is also proved that, which is significant at 5% level. Hence the stated hypothesis is rejected. Table 16: Unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their age of the respondents Nature of Benefits Life and Health and Cash Accident Age Family Child Housing Total Disability Maternity loan Insurance Welfare Education Facility Covered Benefits Benefits Covered Up to 25 years Years Years Above 55 Years Total Page 69

12 Calculated chi-square value Degrees of freedom P Value Source: Computed from Primary data Ho 1(a): There is no association between unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their age of the respondents. The Table: 16 shows that unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their age of the respondents. The calculated chi-square value (192.5) is also proved that, which is significant at 1% level. Hence the stated hypothesis is rejected. Table 17: Unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their marital status of the respondents Nature of Benefits Marital Life and Health and Cash Total status Disability Maternity loan Family Welfare Child Education Housing Facility Accident Insurance Covered Covered Benefits Benefits Married Single Total Calculated chi-square value Degrees of freedom P Value Source: Computed from Primary data Ho1(b): There is no association between unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their marital status of the respondents. The Table18: shows that unorganised workers and social security on the basis of their marital status of the respondents. The calculated chi-square value (29.32) is also proved that, which is significant at 1% level. Hence the stated hypothesis is rejected. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION Among 222 sample unorganized sector employers, 174 (78.38 per cent) are male and 48 (21.62 per cent) are females. Majority of the firms having two partners which is per cent and per cent of the firms having three partners. Out of the sample per cent of the firms contain one partner and rest of them having above three partners which shows per cent. It concludes from the analysis most of the firms having two partners. Majority of the sample unorganized sectors are not having the branches which is per cent and rest of them having branches which shows per cent. Majority of the sample unorganized sectors owned three branches which shows per cent and per cent having two branches. Out of the sample per cent owned four branches and remaining of them having above four branches which show per cent. Most of the sample unorganized sectors not owned branches in the same town which indicates per cent and rest of them having branches in the same town which is per cent. Page 70

13 Majority of the employers agreed that they are provide social security scheme for their workers shows per cent and per cent of employers not provide any security scheme to its workers. Service benefits shows per cent and per cent of the organizations give after service benefits. The analysis result has find out that workers contribution shows per cent and per cent of the organizations paid the premium. The salary for the medical insurance premium which indicates per cent and rest of them agreed that they deducted from the salary which is per cent. CONCLUSION The present study concluded that the organized efforts are necessary for the welfare of unorganised workers class. They are the most vulnerable and deprived section of the society in the need of protection, security, benefits and assistance. A lot of weakness has been found relating the proper implementation, inadequacy of benefits, long procedure of assigning benefits and the like. Obviously such factors create great hurdles in the proper execution of social security measures and are also responsible for the limited utilization of the social security legislation which hit the basic aim and objectives of the social security. The social security system needs to be effective and constructive and should have of more and more coverage areas. The government should get the confidence of the working class to protect them from uncertain contingencies so that they can happily contribute towards social security benefits. REFERENCES 1. John Kurien(2000), Factoring Social and Cultural Dimensions into Food and Livelihood Security Issues of Marine Fisheries A Case Study of Kerala State, India, Working Paper No. 18. p Seeta Prabhu.K and Sandhya V. Iyer(2001), Public Provision of Social Security Challenge in South Asia, South Asia Economic Journal, Vol. 2, No. 1.pp Mohanan Pillai (1996), Kerala Head Load Workers Welfare Scheme, A Case Study Centre for Development Studies Working Papers. 4. Edwin Kasere(2003), Social exclusion and social security: the case of Zimbabwe, Journal of Social Development in Africa, Vol.18, No Sakthivel, S. and Joddar, Pinaki (2006), Unorganised Sector Workforce in India, Trends, Patterns and Social Security Coverage, Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 41, No Manish K. Jha, Food security in perspective: Significance of social action, Community Development Journal, Vol.44, No.3, 2009, pp Page 71