Agricultural labourers who are mostly landless and form a significant section of rural Society mainly depend on wage EMPLOYMENT in agriculture. Majority of them belong to scheduled castes and scheduled tribes and among the worst exploited section of society. Unlike the industrial worker who are well organised agricultural labourers are neither well organised nor well paid. Their income has always been meagre, resulting in poor living heavy indebtedness. Before independence, their position was nothing better than serfs. They were required to do all sort of work from dawn to dusk. They were victim of social discrimination and economic exploitation.
The situation has shown some signs of improvement during the last four decades. Though even now they are the poorest and resource less class in rural areas yet they are no longer a victim of extreme form of oppression. But their economic exploitation cannot be ruled out even today. Even now their level of income is extremely low and not sufficient enough to make both ends meet.
Agricultural wages and family incomes of agricultural workers are very low in India. The Average annual income of household was Rs. 477 during 1950-51 which declined to Rs. 437 in 1955-56 according to the agricultural Labour Enquiry Reports. In the seventies there was an interesting discussion on whether the conditions of agricultural labourers in terms of real wage rates had improved or deteriorated with the advent of the Green Revolution.
Using ALE data Bardhan argued that male real wage rate in Punjab and western U.P. declined while it had risen in Kerala Krishana Ji and Jose used Agricultural wages in India (AWI) data to wake inter-state comparisons and concluded that agricultural wages are poorly adjusted to and long behind the rise in the cost of living.
A. V. Jose (1978) argued that real wage rates alone do not tell us about the real earnings of agricultural labourers which are dependent upon:
The agricultural wage rates.
The quantum of employment per year available per worker and
The prices of wage goods consumed by the members of households.
He provided indirect evidence on the decline in employment opportunities to agricultural labourers after 1964-65. There was an increase in real wage rates but per capita income or agricultural labourers had fallen between 1964-65 and 1970-71 in most states.
The agricultural labourers have to face the problems of Unemployment and underemployment. Labour participation alone is not a very efficient measures of the employment available to labour households since it only indicates the proportion of persons who were working during an agricultural year.
Days of agricultural employment per agricultural employment per agricultural labourer in a particular year would be the net result of changes in the demand and supply of labour. In a year of low agricultural output the demand for labour would be such less, thus reducing the total available days of agricultural employment. On the other hand the supply of labour, in terms of earner’s Population ratio, increased, in India during agricultural Scarcity. The days of employment per agricultural would be expected to fall.
Though bonded labour has been abolished in the country, yet news about the existence of this system in rural India keep appearing in daily from various parts of the country. According to the NSS (32nd round) there are still 3.5 lakh bonded labourers in the country. There is no provision fixation of hours of work. During the peak seasons, they have to work on the farms form down to dusk. There is no question of any leave as they are employed on daily basis.
Unlike the industrial worker the agricultural labour is not organised, His employment is mere a matter of personal whim or the employer. The situation is frequently exploited by the employer. The relationship between the landlord and the labourer is not uniform throughout the country. There are substantial differences not only among different state but even among different villages of same state as regards the period bf employment mode of time period of payment Freedom of Movement, bargaining power vis-a-vis landlords.
Government Measures of Assistance:
Agricultural labour constitutes a significant proportion of total agrarian work force. Minimum wages of agricultural labourers are below.
Fixation of Minimum Wages
Minimum wage Act of 1948 which provide for the fixation of minimum wages of agricultural workers under the Act, the minimum wage are to be fixed by the state governments and are to be reviewed periodically at intervals not exceeding five years. However, because of number of difficulties was not found possible to fix minimum wages for agricultural labour almost of the states up to 1974.
The main difficulties were small size holdings low productivity of agricultural labour back of organization a rural workers excessive labour supply in many areas act. With increase in the agricultural, production in most of the states the labourers have been demanding Like in wages.
Abolition of Bonded Labour
After independence there have been serious attempts to abolish the bonded labour as it is in human and expletive in nature. A notification abolishing this practice was issued in October 1976. As a consequence of this Act, 2,35,670 bonded labourers were identified and free in various parts of the country upto March 31, 1988.
Providing Land to Landless Labourers
The land obtained through the application of ceiling on land ceilings and other land reform measures is being distributed among landless labourers. Labourers Priority in the distribution of land is accorded to the labourers belonging to scheduled castes and scheduled tribe proximately 70 lakh hectares of land has been distributed to landless labourers so far.
Provision of House Sites
A number of steps were undertaken during the second Plan to provide house sites free or on subsidy basis. During forth plan a scheme is introduced under which financial assistance was given to the states for provision of house sites with an area of 91 sq. meters to cover the Seventh Plan proposed to provide assistance to the extent of Rs. 500 per family provision of developed house sites of 90 sq, meters each and assistance of Rs. 200 per family towards construction cost.
The twenty point programme introduced during the Emergency period was described as a direct assault on POVERTY. It gave highest priority to rapid implementation or land costing or provision of house-sites for labourers abolition of labour a moratorium on the recovery of debt from landless labouerers small farmers and rural artisans liquidation of rural indebtedness, legislation for higher minimum wages for agricultural labourers.
MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi national rural employment guarantee act)
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act 2005 is an Indian labour law and social security measure that aims to guarantee the ‘right to work’. It aims to enhance livelihood security in rural areas by providing at least 100 days of wage employment in a financial year to every household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work.
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Agricultural labor is the backbone of the global economy. It is estimated that over 2 billion people work in agriculture, making it the largest employer in the world. However, agricultural workers are often among the most vulnerable and exploited workers in the world.
Poverty and low wages are two of the most common problems faced by agricultural workers. According to the International Labour Organization, the average daily wage for agricultural workers is less than $2. This is far below the Poverty Line in most countries, and it means that many agricultural workers struggle to meet their basic needs.
Lack of Education and skills is another major problem for agricultural workers. Many agricultural workers do not have access to basic education or training, which limits their opportunities for employment and advancement. This is particularly true for Women and children, who are often the most marginalized groups in agricultural communities.
Insecurity of tenure is another problem that affects many agricultural workers. Many agricultural workers do not have secure land tenure, which means that they are at risk of being evicted from their land at any time. This can lead to displacement, poverty, and hunger.
Exploitation by landlords and middlemen is a common problem in many agricultural communities. Landlords and middlemen often take advantage of the fact that agricultural workers are poor and uneducated, and they charge them exorbitant rents and fees. This can leave agricultural workers with very little Money to live on.
Exposure to hazardous working conditions is another major problem for agricultural workers. Agricultural workers are often exposed to pesticides, herbicides, and other chemicals that can be harmful to their Health. They are also often exposed to dangerous working conditions, such as working with heavy machinery or in extreme weather conditions.
Discrimination against women and children is a major problem in many agricultural communities. Women and children are often paid less than men for the same work, and they are often denied access to education and training. They are also often the victims of sexual harassment and violence.
Lack of access to social Services is another problem that affects many agricultural workers. Agricultural workers often do not have access to basic healthcare, education, and housing. This can lead to poor health, illiteracy, and homelessness.
Political marginalization is another problem that affects many agricultural workers. Agricultural workers are often excluded from decision-making processes, and they have little or no voice in government. This can make it difficult for them to improve their working conditions and access to social services.
Environmental Degradation is a major problem that affects agricultural workers. Deforestation, Soil erosion, and Water Pollution can all damage agricultural land and make it difficult for agricultural workers to produce food. Climate change is also a major threat to agriculture, as it can lead to droughts, floods, and other extreme weather events.
Globalization/”>Globalization-3/”>Globalization is another major challenge facing agricultural workers. Globalization has led to the increased use of mechanization and the concentration of agricultural production in the hands of a few large corporations. This has led to job losses for agricultural workers and has made it more difficult for them to compete in the global marketplace.
The problems faced by agricultural workers are complex and interrelated. There is no easy solution to these problems, but there are a number of things that can be done to improve the lives of agricultural workers. These include:
Increasing the minimum wage for agricultural workers
Providing education and training to agricultural workers
Securing land tenure for agricultural workers
Protecting agricultural workers from exploitation
Eliminating discrimination against women and children in agriculture
Increasing access to social services for agricultural workers
Giving agricultural workers a voice in government
Addressing the environmental challenges facing agriculture
By taking these steps, we can help to improve the lives of agricultural workers and ensure that they have a decent standard of living.
What are the problems of agricultural labor?
Agricultural labor is a major source of employment in many countries, but it is also a sector that is often characterized by low wages, poor working conditions, and lack of access to social protection. Some of the key problems facing agricultural workers include:
Low wages: Agricultural workers are often paid very low wages, which can make it difficult to meet basic needs such as food, housing, and education.
Poor working conditions: Agricultural workers often work in dangerous and unhealthy conditions, with little or no access to protective equipment or safety measures.
Lack of access to social protection: Agricultural workers are often excluded from social protection programs such as health insurance and pensions, which can leave them vulnerable to poverty and ill health.
Discrimination: Agricultural workers are often discriminated against on the basis of their gender, ethnicity, or caste. This can lead to lower wages, poorer working conditions, and less access to opportunities.
What are the causes of the problems of agricultural labor?
The problems of agricultural labor are complex and have multiple causes. Some of the key factors that contribute to these problems include:
The low value of agricultural products: The prices of agricultural products are often low, which means that farmers and agricultural workers do not earn enough money to make a decent living.
The concentration of land ownership: In many countries, a small number of landowners control most of the land, while the majority of people are landless or have very small landholdings. This can lead to low wages and poor working conditions for agricultural workers.
The use of child labor: Child labor is a major problem in many agricultural sectors. Children are often forced to work long hours in dangerous conditions for very low wages.
The lack of education and training: Many agricultural workers lack access to education and training, which can limit their opportunities for employment and advancement.
The lack of organization: Agricultural workers are often poorly organized, which makes it difficult for them to bargain for better wages and working conditions.
What are the solutions to the problems of agricultural labor?
There are a number of potential solutions to the problems of agricultural labor. Some of the key solutions include:
Increasing the value of agricultural products: This can be done through a variety of measures, such as providing subsidies to farmers, increasing tariffs on imported agricultural products, and supporting fair trade initiatives.
Reducing the concentration of land ownership: This can be done through land reform programs, which redistribute land from large landowners to small farmers.
Eliminating child labor: This can be done through a variety of measures, such as raising awareness of the problem, enforcing child labor laws, and providing alternative opportunities for children.
Improving access to education and training: This can be done by providing free or low-cost education and training programs for agricultural workers.
Strengthening the organization of agricultural workers: This can be done by supporting unions and other organizations that represent the interests of agricultural workers.
What are the benefits of solving the problems of agricultural labor?
Solving the problems of agricultural labor would have a number of benefits, including:
Improved wages and working conditions for agricultural workers
What are the challenges of solving the problems of agricultural labor?
Solving the problems of agricultural labor is a complex and challenging task. Some of the key challenges include:
The low value of agricultural products
The concentration of land ownership
The use of child labor
The lack of education and training
The lack of organization of agricultural workers
Despite these challenges, it is important to address the problems of agricultural labor. By doing so, we can improve the lives of millions of people around the world.
Question 1
Which of the following is not a problem faced by agricultural labourers?
(A) Low wages
(B) Lack of education
(C) Lack of access to healthcare
(D) Overcrowding in cities
Answer
(D) Overcrowding in cities is not a problem faced by agricultural labourers. Agricultural labourers are mostly found in rural areas, where there is less overcrowding.
Question 2
Which of the following is the most common problem faced by agricultural labourers?
(A) Low wages
(B) Lack of education
(C) Lack of access to healthcare
(D) All of the above
Answer
(D) All of the above are common problems faced by agricultural labourers. Low wages, lack of education, and lack of access to healthcare are all major problems that agricultural labourers face.
Question 3
What is the main reason for the low wages of agricultural labourers?
(A) The supply of agricultural labourers is high
(B) The demand for agricultural labourers is low
(C) Agricultural labourers are not organized
(D) All of the above
Answer
(D) All of the above are reasons for the low wages of agricultural labourers. The supply of agricultural labourers is high, the demand for agricultural labourers is low, and agricultural labourers are not organized. These factors all contribute to the low wages of agricultural labourers.
Question 4
What is the main reason for the lack of education of agricultural labourers?
(A) Poverty
(B) Lack of access to schools
(C) Discrimination
(D) All of the above
Answer
(D) All of the above are reasons for the lack of education of agricultural labourers. Poverty, lack of access to schools, and discrimination all contribute to the lack of education of agricultural labourers.
Question 5
What is the main reason for the lack of access to healthcare of agricultural labourers?
(A) Poverty
(B) Lack of access to hospitals
(C) Discrimination
(D) All of the above
Answer
(D) All of the above are reasons for the lack of access to healthcare of agricultural labourers. Poverty, lack of access to hospitals, and discrimination all contribute to the lack of access to healthcare of agricultural labourers.
Question 6
What can be done to improve the conditions of agricultural labourers?
(A) Increase the wages of agricultural labourers
(B) Provide education to agricultural labourers
(C) Provide access to healthcare for agricultural labourers
(D) All of the above
Answer
(D) All of the above can be done to improve the conditions of agricultural labourers. Increasing the wages of agricultural labourers, providing education to agricultural labourers, and providing access to healthcare for agricultural labourers are all important steps that can be taken to improve the conditions of agricultural labourers.