Social Security for Unorganized Workers in Rural Karnataka: A Household-Level Analysis

This study examines the social security provisions available to unorganized workers in rural Karnataka, focusing on the economic vulnerabilities faced by these households and evaluating the effectiveness of existing social security schemes. Unorganized workers constitute a significant portion of India’s labor force, and in Karnataka, rural unorganized workers face challenges in accessing stable incomes, healthcare, and retirement benefits. By analyzing primary data collected from households across rural Karnataka, this study explores the awareness, utilization, and adequacy of social security schemes, such as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), healthcare subsidies, and pension schemes. This study aims to contribute policy recommendations to enhance the welfare of unorganized workers in the region.