Work participation and engagement in public works in rural areas – A study based on NSS

The latest round of the quinquennial employment-unemployment survey of NSSO shows a reduction in the WPR which is a reversal of the trend seen in the earlier surveys. It also shows a reduced employment growth for women and in key sectors like agriculture. A notable feature of the employment scenario in the rural sector during the recent years has been the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) providing assured employment to those seeking it. The NSS survey shows very interesting results on the participation of rural persons in the MNREGA. The paper analyses the nature of persons seeking public work as offers some explanations for the reduced usual status WPR reported in the survey in the backdrop of MNREGS.

Results show a decreased usual status WPR for women. It also shows a reduced percentage of self-employed among the employed. Certain anomalies in the reporting of the public works under the NREGS is noticed in the results as the increased days in casual labor are not reflected in the usual status WPR. However the daily status WPR is found to provide a more accurate picture of the employment situation keeping in mind the rural employment programme. The decrease is the usual status WPR is found to be related to the improved employment days due to the public works provided under the new programme. A significant percentage of those who availed public works belonged to the unpaid family worker and those who reported domestic activities as principal status. The results indicate an increase in the number of days worked by the rural employed though the number of workers have decreased. Tables on the educational and age profiles of those taking up MNREGS work are also presented.