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Women’s Employment in Modern Indian Industry

Author

Listed:
  • Balwant Singh Mehta

    (Institute for Human Development)

  • Megha Shree

    (People Research on India’s Consumer Economy)

Abstract

This paper examines the qualitative aspect of women’s employment in modern Indian industries through a case study of the electronics manufacturing industry. The results reveal that this industry is gender-unequal; women increasingly hold regular, salaried jobs, but in low-paid, low-productive occupations, and are paid much less than men and given fewer social security benefits. These women are mostly young, single, and from lower caste, and either highly educated or illiterate. Few of the firms that employ them have a union. Very few women are union members, and have bargaining power. The paper ends with a set of policy recommendations.

Suggested Citation

  • Balwant Singh Mehta & Megha Shree, 2016. "Women’s Employment in Modern Indian Industry," The Indian Journal of Labour Economics, Springer;The Indian Society of Labour Economics (ISLE), vol. 59(2), pages 291-303, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:ijlaec:v:59:y:2016:i:2:d:10.1007_s41027-017-0058-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s41027-017-0058-3
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    References listed on IDEAS

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