ABSTRACT
One of the biggest sources of unorganized laborers include the construction industry in India,
especially in fast urbanizing cities like Bangalore. Though their role is extremely essential in
infrastructural growth, the workers are still plagued with low wages, no job security, poor
working environment, and poor access to medical and social facilities. This paper explores
the issues and opportunities of unskilled construction workers in Bangalore district in a bid to
determine the socio-economic challenges faced by the population, as well as the potential of
enhancing their situation through training, skill acquisition, and institutional intervention.
Two hundred workers were given a structured questionnaire, and the data were analyzed
through descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, and multiple regression models. The results
indicate that low wages, workplace risks, and lack of social insurance have a major impact on
the welfare of the workers, whereas training opportunities and skill development have a
positive impact on the future of these employees. The research also gives information on
demographic traits, financial awareness and household choices of employees. The findings
underscore the need to take immediate policy action, enhance welfare policies and specific
skill development programs to motivate the unregistered construction workers. This study is a
contribution to the literature in labor economics, and it provides some implications to policy
makers, NGOs and planners of urban development.
Keywords: Unorganized construction workers, Wages and job security, Occupational health
and safety, Skill development and training, Labor economics in India