Other Workers

In the Census of India classification, Other Workers refer to a specific category of the working population that includes all economically active individuals who are not engaged in agricultural or household industries. This category forms one of the major components of India’s workforce and represents employment in the non-agricultural and modern sectors of the economy such as industry, services, trade, transport, communication, education, and administration.
The identification of Other Workers helps in understanding the structure and diversification of India’s workforce and provides insight into the process of industrialisation, urbanisation, and economic transformation.

Definition and Concept

According to the Census of India, a worker is defined as a person who participates in any economically productive activity — physical or mental — for remuneration, profit, or family gain, during the reference period.
Workers are divided into four main categories:

1. Cultivators
2. Agricultural Labourers
3. Household Industry Workers
4. Other Workers

Among these, Other Workers are defined as:

“All those workers who have been engaged in any economically productive activity other than cultivation, agricultural labour, or household industry work.”

This category includes persons engaged in a wide range of non-agricultural occupations and professions that contribute to industrial, commercial, and service sectors of the economy.

Classification of Workers in India (Census Framework)

Examples of Other Workers

The Other Workers category includes a diverse set of occupations across the secondary and tertiary sectors, such as:

• Employees in factories, manufacturing units, and industrial establishments.
• Workers engaged in mining, quarrying, and construction.
• Persons working in transport, storage, and communication services (e.g., drivers, railway staff, postal workers).
• Shopkeepers, traders, and merchants in wholesale and retail trade.
• Employees in financial, real estate, and business services.
• Professionals in education, healthcare, administration, and defence.
• Government employees, corporate workers, and other salaried personnel.
• Informal and self-employed service providers, such as barbers, electricians, tailors, and mechanics.
• Workers engaged in IT, tourism, hospitality, and entertainment sectors.

In essence, the “Other Workers” category encompasses all occupations associated with industrial and service-based economic activities.

Characteristics of Other Workers

1. Non-Agricultural Employment:These workers are employed outside the agricultural sector, reflecting the modern and urbanised segment of the economy.
2. Diverse Occupations:The category includes a wide variety of professional, skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled jobs.
3. Urban Concentration:A large proportion of Other Workers are concentrated in urban areas, where industrial, commercial, and service activities are dominant.
4. Formal and Informal Sectors:It includes both formal (organised) sector employees with regular wages and informal (unorganised) sector workers with irregular employment.
5. Gender Composition:The share of male workers is relatively higher in this category, though female participation has been rising in sectors like education, healthcare, and retail trade.
6. Contribution to GDP:Other Workers play a crucial role in India’s non-agricultural GDP, contributing to economic diversification and growth.

Statistical Trends

As per Census 2011, out of the total working population of India (approximately 481.7 million workers):

• Cultivators: 118.7 million (24.6%)
• Agricultural Labourers: 144.3 million (30.0%)
• Household Industry Workers: 11.9 million (2.5%)
• Other Workers: 206.5 million (42.9%)

Thus, Other Workers constituted the largest segment (about 43%) of India’s total workforce, reflecting the increasing role of industry and services in employment generation.
This proportion has been steadily rising over successive censuses, indicating a gradual structural shift of the workforce from agriculture to non-agricultural occupations.

Factors Influencing the Growth of Other Workers

1. Industrialisation:Expansion of manufacturing and construction activities has created numerous non-agricultural jobs.
2. Urbanisation:Growth of towns and cities has increased demand for services and industrial employment.
3. Infrastructure Development:Large-scale projects in transport, energy, and housing have generated employment in the construction and related industries.
4. Globalisation and Liberalisation:Post-1991 economic reforms spurred growth in trade, finance, IT, and business services, contributing to job creation in urban areas.
5. Education and Skill Development:Improved access to education has diversified occupational choices, shifting labour from traditional to modern sectors.
6. Decline in Agricultural Profitability:Reduced viability of small-scale farming has encouraged rural workers to migrate to non-agricultural occupations.
7. Technological Advancement:Growth in digital services, telecommunications, and e-commerce has created new employment avenues within the Other Workers category.

Regional and Sectoral Distribution

• Urban vs Rural:In urban India, nearly 80–85% of the workforce falls under the Other Workers category, whereas in rural areas, it remains around 25–30%.
• Regional Variation:States like Maharashtra, Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Delhi show high concentrations of Other Workers due to industrialisation and urban development.In contrast, states with agrarian economies such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha have a lower share of Other Workers.
• Sectoral Distribution:
  • Secondary Sector (Industry): Manufacturing, construction, mining, and utilities.
  • Tertiary Sector (Services): Transport, trade, communications, finance, administration, education, health, and tourism.

Economic and Social Significance

1. Indicator of Economic Modernisation:A growing share of Other Workers signals the transition from an agrarian to an industrial and service-based economy.
2. Employment Diversification:Provides multiple livelihood options, reducing dependence on agriculture.
3. Urban Development:The increase in Other Workers drives urbanisation and infrastructure expansion.
4. Higher Productivity and Incomes:Non-agricultural sectors generally offer better wages and working conditions compared to agricultural labour.
5. Contribution to National Income:Other Workers significantly contribute to India’s GDP, especially through manufacturing and service industries.
6. Social Transformation:Movement into diverse occupations fosters social mobility, modern lifestyles, and exposure to new skills and technologies.

Challenges Faced by Other Workers

Despite their importance, Other Workers encounter several challenges:

• Job Insecurity: A large share works in the informal sector without social protection or employment stability.
• Wage Inequality: Wide disparities exist between formal and informal, skilled and unskilled workers.
• Gender Gaps: Female participation remains lower and often confined to lower-paid jobs.
• Skill Mismatch: Rapid technological changes create gaps between required and available skills.
• Migration and Housing Issues: Urban migrant workers often face inadequate housing, poor working conditions, and lack of labour rights.

Policy Measures and Initiatives

To support and enhance employment opportunities for Other Workers, several government policies have been implemented:

• Skill India Mission (2015): Focuses on upskilling and reskilling the workforce.
• Make in India (2014): Promotes manufacturing sector employment.
• National Urban Livelihoods Mission (NULM): Supports self-employment and skill training in urban areas.
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Provides industry-relevant skill certification.
• Labour Code Reforms (2020): Simplify labour laws and improve social security for informal workers.
• Digital India Programme: Encourages employment generation in technology and communication sectors.