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Socio-Economic Security in the Context of Pervasive Poverty: A Case Study of India
K.Seeta Prabhu, May 2001 The concept of social security, conventionally defined in terms of contingency related measures, is confined largely to workers employed in the formal sector. The definition is inadequate in situations where employment in the formal sector is limited and poverty is widespread. This paper defines socio-economic security from a wider perspective as constituting measures that enhance social capabilities, ensure economic security and enable the vulnerable sections of the population to survive. When viewed from this framework, the provision of socio-economic security in India has been unsatisfactory. It is argued that the Government and the community constitute the two pillars that need to be strengthened for meeting the genuine need for socio-economic security of the masses in India, particularly during the period of economic reforms. This paper was made possible by the support and help I received in generous measure from many people. The discussions that I had with Shri. S. Wadhawan, Chairman, Task Force on Social Security of the Ministry of Labour, Government of India, Prof. L.K. Deshpande, former Director, Department of Economics, Ms. Sukti Dasgupta, International Labour Organisation, Geneva, and Prof. Errol D'Souza of the Department of Economics, University of Mumbai, enhanced the range and depth of analysis in the paper. Ms. Sandhya V. Iyer and Mr. Tripati Rao gave several useful suggestions that helped fine-tune the paper. Ms. Meenakshi Kathel and Mr. Chirag Shah compiled data from several sources. My sincere thanks to each one of them. The librarians at International Labour Organisation, New Delhi and the University of Mumbai and the Indira Gandhi Institute for Development Research, Mumbai, provided access to their material. My sincere thanks to each one of them. The usual caveat applies. Click here for full document in PDF |
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Updated by LD. Approved by GS. Last update: 1 August 2001.