Distribution Pattern and Determinants of Income among Casual Labour Households: Empirical Evidence from Rural Punjab
Published by: Admin
Authors: Gaganpreet Singh, Sarbjeet Singh and Ravita
Abstract
A sample of 480 households that rely on casual labour in rural Punjab was selected through multistage stratified random sampling to examine the patterns and factors influencing household income during the 2022- 23 agricultural year. The findings showed that due to irregular work and low wages in the farm sector, casual agricultural labour households were forced to seek alternative sources of income through non-farm employment and MGNREGS. Despite these attempts, they remained among the most economically vulnerable segments of rural Punjab. The analysis of inequality measurements showed that inequality worsened when switching from casual agricultural to non-agricultural labour households in rural Punjab. The findings of the Binary Logistic Regression further indicated that the working members in a household, days of employment, participation in MGNREGS, ownership of productive assets, engagement in the primary sector, and the presence of illiterate members within the family were significant determinants of household income. Based on the results, the study also suggested multidimensional strategies such as skill development, expanding rural non-agricultural employment opportunities, and effective implementation of MGNREGS.