a study on social security schemes and welfare programmes in unorganised sector with special focus on bidi rollers

Abstract

This study examines the level of awareness of the Social Security Schemes and Welfare Progammes provided by the government to the Bidi Rollers of Prayagraj and Kaushambi District using Kruskal-Wallis test. The study found that the Bidi Rollers are to some extent aware of the Social Security and Welfare Schemes. The current study is an attempt to find the perception of Bidi Rollers towards these schemes and benefits (basic laws for personnel administration) and their level of satisfaction concerning these schemes and benefits. It was found that the Bidi Rollers were moderately satisfied by the welfare facilities provided by the employer and the government. While a majority of the Bidi Rollers showed dissatisfaction towards the working conditions in the factories and other places of work. The survey was undertaken in Prayagraj and Kaushambi district of Uttar Pradesh on the sample of 347 respondents who were registered in the pay roll of the Bidi manufacturing unit. Descriptive Analysis, Chi square test, Kruskal-Wallis Test, Ordinal Regression analysis were applied to analyze the awareness level and satisfaction level of the Security Schemes and Welfare Benefits which are provided by the employer/ government. The researcher also tried to identify the problems faced by the Bidi Rollers. The results showed that majority of the Bidi Rollers were facing respiratory problems due to continuous inhalation of tobacco. Others were having ophthalmic problems. Many Bidi Rollers revealed that they wanted to switch to any other alternate occupation but due to unavailability of other alternative of employment they were forced to stick to this occupation. It is recommended that more and more awareness campaigns through conventional medium of communication like Nukkad Natak, Aangan Wadi meetings and door to door awareness drives should be adopted to improve their awareness. The government should provide skill development programs and trainings to make the Bidi Rollers self-sufficient in various other businesses and trade as an alte