Indian Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Vol. 16, No. 2, MayAugust, 2012, pp.

66-71
Original Article

Socio-economic status of workers of building construction

industry
S Biswas1, D Chakraborty2, MK Chatterjee2, PK Gangopadhyay3, S Mukherjee2, K
Nayak2, Guddi Tiwary2
1 Department of Anthropology, West Bengal State University, 24 Parganas (N), West

Bengal, India
2 Regional Occupational Health Centre (Eastern), Block-DP, No-1, Sector-V, Salt
Lake City, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
3 CL-109, Sector-II, Salt lake City, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
Correspondence Address:
Guddi Tiwary
Regional Occupational Health Centre (Eastern), Block DP, No 1, Sector V, Salt Lake
City, Kolkata - 700 091, West Bengal
India
guddi190@gmail.com

PMID: 23580836
DOI: 10.4103/0019-5278.107072
Abstract
Background: Informal/unorganised sector covers 92% of the total work force in
India. About 50% of the construction industrial workers belonged to
informal/unorganised sector. Material and Methods: The present study was
undertaken to know the socio-economic status of construction worker and availing of
the social security measures by this working group. Results and Conclusion: The
study covered 150 subjects with an average age of 32 years and mean duration of

work was nine years. They were poorly paid with an average income of Rs. 4956/per month. Though the literacy rate was high (79%) yet most of them were addicted to
different habits like drinking alcohol, smoking bidi, tobacco chewing etc., Abusing
the family members were noted in (30%) of the cases. Their regular intake of food,
usually inadequate in quantity and was mainly consisted of rice, pulses, vegetables.
Though most of the subjects (73%) were living in kacha houses yet the latrine
facilities were available to 62% of total covered houses. Majority of them were
unaware of the different social security schemes/measures. The details have been
discussed here.
Keywords: Building construction workers, social security schemes, socio economic
status, vulnerable population
Introduction
Industrialization with the introduction of newly developed technologies plays an
important role for development of a country. Building construction is the basic of
industrial developments. [1] In India it is one of the fastest growing industries with an
annual growth of 10%. [2],[3] It has wide range of activities with employment of a
substantial number of workers. They are mainly working in informal/unorganised
sector. In India about 340 million (92%) workers are in unorganized sector and about
half of them are in construction industry. [4],[5],[6],[7]Government of India and State
governments promulgated/framed Acts and Rules for regulation of working conditions
and workers in the industry. [5],[8],[9],[10],[11],[12] Social welfare measures have also
been included in some Acts, specially the social security schemes framed by different
governments. [1] As per National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised
Sector (NCEUS), workers are victims of adverse working environmental conditions
and subjected to health hazards of occupational origin.[10],[11] These workers are
poor and vulnerable. Their employment is totally temporary in nature. [13] The socioeconomic stresses are one of the major outcomes of their occupation. Security
measures are not being provided or adopted by them while working. They are being
exploited by the contractors. There is no specified time limit/frame of work for them.
They had to work on an average for about 10 hours/day. [14]Mostly they are migratory
workers. At times, they are prone to injuries and accidents. [15],[16],[17],[18],[19],[20]
This article tries to find out the socio-economic status of the workers in and around
north east part of Kolkata.

Materials and Methods

This is a cross sectional prospective study. Different employment units/groups
located in and around north-east part of Kolkata were identified. Employment units
have been selected by stratified sampling techniques. [21] Total coverage of workers
in each selected unit was attempted (except those who were absenting themselves
during the entire period of study). A questionnaire was prepared, tested and
validated. These subjects were apprised of the study protocol and the written consent
of each subject for their voluntary participation was obtained. The questionnaire was
administered individually, separately to each subject. Individual subjects standing
height (cms) and weight (Kgs) (bare footed) were taken as per standard method. The
Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using the following equation (World Health
Organization (WHO)). [22],[23]
BMI = W/H 2
where W = weight in Kg(s)
H = height in metre(s)
Estimation of haemoglobin was done in field condition by acid haematin method
(Sahlis). [24] Each subject was asked whether they were aware of the various social
security schemes provided by the government and whether they were availing any of
these schemes or not. Collected data was analysed using Expanded Program on
Immunization (EPI) INFO (WHO) software. [25]
Results and Discussion
This study covered 150 subjects (male-140, female-10) from unorganized
construction industries. Among the subjects 69% were Hindus and the rest were
Muslims. Most of them belonged to general caste (59%) and schedule caste was the
other major category. It was found that 61% of the workers were married. The
average family size was of five members. Similar family size was reported by Self
Employed Womens Association (SEWA). [26]Railway porters also showed similar
average family size. [27]However, in mica processing industries the average family
size was found to be seven. [28] It was noted that most of the workers in unorganized
construction units were migrant in nature. They usually used to come to urban areas
from rural areas in search of livelihood leaving behind their families on seasonal

basis. They used to go back to their native during harvesting season.

The old traditional way of construction by digging soil, creating large base by brick
layers before and further construction by thick wall reaching up to surface soil is
practically not found now a days. Instead, presently in addition to mud digging/cutting
there is creation of concrete base and erection of pillars on the base. For construction
of building various types of jobs are there; some are more or less similar and some
are different. Considering the job similarity, the workers had been grouped into six
main groups[Figure - 1]. They were mainly helper-47%, rajmistry-29%, supervisor11% etc.{Figure 1}
While construction of building the major construction work is done by the rajmistry
and their helper. The system of helper and mistry is found in almost all categories of
jobs (rajmistry, centring, marble, colour, plaster, plumber, carpenter, electrician
etc.,). These helpers with practical training in course of their employment become
mistry.
The physical characteristics of the subjects have been summarised in [Table - 1]. It
was found that the average age of the workers was 32.0 10.9 years. The average
height and weight of the workers were 161.8 7.3 cms and 52.4 8.7 Kgs
respectively. The average Indians standard height and weight are 160.7 98 cms,
55.2 11.3 Kgs respectively. [29] The study showed that the mean height of the
subjects was slightly more than the average Indian standard height. However, the
mean weight of the subjects was less than the mean Indian standard weight. In earlier
studies on unorganized sector workers average weight was found to be less than the
present study. [30],[31],[32]
[Table - 2] showed the age group-wise distribution of subjects. While categorizing
the subjects in age groups it was revealed that about 63% subjects were in the age
groups of 20-39 years.
The individual BMI indicated mainly the nutritional status and obesity of the subjects.
The average BMI of workers was 18.9 5.0 Kg/m 2 (range 13.7 to 29.9 Kg/m 2 ).
The normal range of BMI is 18.5 to 24.9 kg/m 2 . [22],[23] The mean value of the BMI
of the subjects was within normal range. About 35% of subjects were suffering from
chronic energy deficiency (CED) with BMI <18.5 Kg/m 2 . BMI >24.9 Kg/m 2 was
noted in about 5% subjects and they were in obese category. According to WHO the
classification of BMI, it is associated with degree of underweight and/over weight
which at times is associated with risk of some non-communicable diseases. [33],[34],

[35] Anaemia was found in 28% of the workers. Out of 35% subjects suffering from

CED 48% were suffering from anaemia of different severity (mild-40%, moderate8%).
The literacy rate of the subjects was graphically presented in[Figure - 2]. It is
generally considered that the labourers of unorganized sectors are usually poor and
illiterate. But this study revealed that about 79% of the subjects were literate. It was
interesting to note that 10% of subjects have passed class X examination. According
to Census 2011, in West Bengal literacy rate among general population is
77% [36] and the covered subjects followed almost the similar trend. It is also to be
noted that 53% workers parents were illiterate.{Figure 2}
It was revealed that 40% of the workers were only bread and butter earner of their
family. They had no other source of income. The average monthly total income of the
subjects was Rs.4956/-(Rs.900/-to Rs.15000/-). At times it became very difficult for
the workers to manage their family expenditure with their earnings.[Figure 3] showed the trend of income to that of expenditure of the subjects (as stated by
them). It may be seen that in some cases expenditure was more than the income. This
might be due to the fact that to cope up with their daily requirements they had to
borrow/take loan from their relatives, friends etc., This hardship might result in stress
and strain amongst the workers.{Figure 3}
The minimum daily wage of these workers was Rs. 100/-only. The current minimum
wages of construction workers according to Ministry of Labour, Government of West
Bengal ranged between Rs. 142.25/-to Rs. 167.29/-. [37] It was noted that about 61%
of the workers earned less than Rs. 5000/- per month followed by 25% of workers
earned between Rs. 5000/- to Rs. 7500/- and 11% in range of Rs. 7500/- to Rs.
10,000/- respectively. About 24% of the literate workers were earning in between Rs
5,000/- to Rs 7,500/- and 8% literate earning in between Rs 7,500/- to Rs. 10,000/-.
They were exploited by labour contractors and they had to work at lower wages. The
minimum wage of the construction workers was better than agriculture and domestic
worker. [5] Fulfilling of the family commitments of the workers with this low wages
is also a difficult proposition. At times they take/borrow loan from friends, relatives
etc., to accomplish with their requirements. Therefore, they were subjected to stress
and strain; suffering from anxiety [38] and at times this leads to alcohol intake. [1] It
was observed that better job opportunities by training and certification can lead to
more income. [1],[2],[39]
About 53% of the workers were smokers and they smoke mainly bidi. Other

important habits were chewing tobacco, panmasala, alcohol intake etc., Smoking may
cause/aggravate lung ailments like cough, breathlessness, chronic bronchitis, heart
disease etc.[40],[41] Pulmonary function test impairment mainly obstructive type may
be associated with smoking. [42] Smoking for a long time might cause throat and lung
cancers. [43],[44] The workers misuse their money on smoking/alcohol consumption.
About 37% consumed alcohol (foreign liquor-58%, country liquor-36%). They work
hard for long hours. At times drinking of alcohol might help to reduce the psychosocial stresses or might resemble anxiety. Excess alcohol intake might result in loss
of mental state, misbehaviour with the general public etc., and ultimately, this might
result in scolding, assaulting and beating of wife and children etc., (30%). [3] In good
number of cases it was found that alcohol was being given by labour contractors in
exchange of overtime (44%) as remuneration.
They were mainly non-vegetarian (99%). The workers usually take main food three
times a day- breakfast, lunch and dinner. They mostly consumed rice, sabji containing
mainly potato, chapati, etc., The intake of animal protein (fish, chicken) was usually
on weekly basis.
They mainly lived in kacha house (73%). Most of them prepare their food in open
place outside the house (surrounded by walls made by splitted bamboo mats and no
ceiling/roof). About 23% subjects cooked their food in the living room. Their
wife/female co-partners cook food while carrying their small child in arms. Usually
they used wood (63%) as fuel for cooking purpose. Burning of wood emits gases like
carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) etc., Inhaling of these gases might
cause cough, breathing problem, suffocation etc., Majority of them (70%) were using
public tubewell (74%)/taps (21%) as a source drinking water. Plastic bottles (51%)
and Aluminium buckets (28%) were the utensils for storage of water. Earthen pot was
found in 16% of the cases for storing water.
Separate latrine facility was present in 62% houses. Common latrine facility for a
group was also there. For defaecation 54% of the workers used to go to open field.
Most of the construction workers (61%) were using kerosene lamp, hurricane and
other mode of light at night. The connection of electricity is yet to reach their homes.
About 39% of the workers house had electricity facility. The electricity was used by
them for light (37%), fan (32%), television (23%), radio (6%) and others [DVD
player, freeze]. The main recreational activities were (a) participation in different
types of sports and games (football, cricket etc.), (b) observing or viewing TV or
listening to Radio programmes. Majority of workers (71%) attended/participated
different social functions/recreations like marriages in relatives/neighbours, rituals,

festivals etc.
About 58% of the subjects were aware of using contraceptive for spacing between
the children. The different methods were oral contraceptive pills (30%), withdrawal
methods (13%), ligation (10%), condoms (4%) etc.
The subjects were exposed to different types of working environment. The
distribution of workers according to present duration of exposure was given in [Table
- 3]. It is seen that present exposure of the construction workers on an average was
nine years. The average total exposure for construction job was 14 years. Most of the
workers in construction industry were migratory in nature. Most of the workers were
working for less than five years duration (66%).
The study revealed that only 22% workers were engaged in this job for generation
together. This is contrary to the findings of SEWA who reported that 66% of
construction workers in Delhi worked for generation together. [26] About 83% of the
workers were engaged on no work no pay basis. They worked from morning 6 a.m. to
6 p.m. with a lunch break for one hour or half an hour. At times they had to work for
10-12 hours. The maximum stipulated hours of work by Indian Factories Act 1948
was eight hours per day. [1],[45] But for earning more and urgency of completing the
work in fixed time, they had to work for long hours; of course they get minimum
overtime allowances for this.
These subjects were usually victim of different types of injuries. It was seen that the
injuries were due to (a) cut by sharp objects (46%), (b) fall from height (20%), (c)
falling of objects from height (15%) etc., The workers were not habituated in using
preventive measures against any accidents, like use of helmet, gloves, boots etc.,
Injuries and accidents while at work were noted among 39% of the workers. Cleaning
and washing of hands and legs properly after the work or during lunch break was not
a common practice. Rough and keratotic skin of foot and palm was seen. Using of
same un-cleaned clothes for days together at work was also observed [Figure 4], [Figure - 5], [Figure - 6].{Figure 4}{Figure 5}{Figure 6}
The government has initiated different social security measures/programmes for the
different working groups associated with industries in unorganized sectors. [1],[10],
[11],[13] The welfare measures were given wide publicity/circulation through mass
media. Yet, though these are also applicable for construction workers, most of them
(95%), were not aware of the so called social security schemes like Old age pension
scheme, maternity leave, housing loan, children education, accident benefits schemes

etc., However, each and every subjects were appraised of the different
schemes/measures individually during collection of data separately.
Conclusion
The socio-economic status of the workers showed that they were poor. They are daily
wage earners and maintain their family with small income with difficulty. It was
noted that most of them were literate. They were addicted to alcohol, smoking bidi,
cigarette. They did not consume adequate amount of nutritious food. In most of the
cases it was found that they lived in kacha houses. A good proportion of workers
cook their food in the same room in which they leave. They used wood for cooking
their food. The source of drinking and cooking water was public tube wells or taps.
Latrine facility was available in most cases. Their monthly income was less due to
which they had to borrow from relatives or neighbours for fulfilment of their needs.
They were not aware of the different social security schemes. Awareness
programmes including individual/separate counselling was essential for overall
upliftment.
Acknowledgement
The authors gratefully acknowledge Director General, Indian Council of Medical
Research, New Delhi; Director, National Institute of Occupational Health;
Ahmedabad and Officer-in-Charge, Regional Occupational Health Centre, Kolkata
for encouragement and providing facilities.
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