Unorganised Sectors in India: Trends and Challenges with Special Reference to West Bengal

As part of India, West Bengal is one of its largest economies and thus has distinctive, informal labour market conditions. The agricultural nature of the economy, coupled with low levels of formal manufacturing activity, results in a relatively low productivity level for workers compared to other states within India. The low level of productivity of workers in West Bengal's informal labour market has also resulted in ongoing informalisation and an additional large wage gap between those workers employed in the formal (organised) sector and unorganised-sector workers. The report provides a comprehensive summary of key fundamental policy issues and provides a framework for a more holistic approach, including government-enabled regulatory reforms to improve the conditions, benefits, and training opportunities of unorganised workers, thereby improving their overall welfare and productivity.