PROBLEMS OF WORKPLACE CULTURE & STATUS OF WOMEN CONSTRUCTION LABORERS’ IN INDIA

The construction sector has the largest number of unorganized labourers in India next only
to the agricultural sector, and women form almost half the workforce as unskilled labourers
with no occupational mobility. Often they face serious Problems constraints related to work,
viz., lack of continuity, insecurity, wage discrimination, gender and sexual harassment,
unhealthy job relationship, lower wages, and poor job satisfaction. Despite these, the
construction industry overwhelmingly attracts female workers. Poverty being the main
cause, the worst affected are the single destitute women with children to support. Their
husbands are often drunkards or are found to have other sexual partners and find
themselves in debt trap. Unlike the womenfolk, men who come in as small boys, assist the
masons for some years as helpers and finally, graduate as masons, some of whom later
become contractors and move up the social ladder. Hence, the female labourers require
empowerment through training and skill enhancement. The present study is an attempt to
identify the issues related to workplace culture or working environment of these numerous,
poor and most vulnerable segments of the Indian society These Construction labourers are
one of the most vulnerable segments of the Unorganized sector as there is no permanent job
opportunity for them.