EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC SECURITY AMONG URBAN INFORMAL WORKERS IN ANDHRA PRADESH

Abstract

Informal employment constitutes an important part of the urban labour market in India and provides livelihood opportunities to a large number of workers who may have limited access to stable employment and formal social protection. Urban informal workers are engaged in a wide range of activities, including street vending, construction work, domestic work, waste collection, transport services, casual labour and other small-scale occupations. Although these occupations provide income to many households, workers often face irregular employment, low or uncertain earnings, long working hours, unsafe working conditions and limited access to social security and healthcare. The present narrative review examines informal employment and socio-economic security among urban workers in Andhra Pradesh based on available research studies, government reports and other relevant secondary sources. The review focuses on the nature of informal employment and examines major issues relating to income security, employment stability, working conditions, occupational health, access to healthcare, housing, social protection and gender-related vulnerabilities. It also considers the difficulties faced by migrant and other vulnerable groups within the urban informal workforce. The available literature indicates that informal workers contribute significantly to urban economic activity but often remain outside the effective coverage of formal employment benefits and social-security arrangements. Economic insecurity can be further intensified by irregular work, rising living costs, occupational risks and limited awareness or accessibility of welfare programmes. The review highlights the importance of extending effective social protection, healthcare, occupational safety measures and livelihood support to urban informal workers. It concludes that improving the socio-economic security of informal workers requires coordinated efforts to strengthen decent working conditions, social-security coverage, access to basic services and effective implementation of welfare measures in Andhra Pradesh.