Career options in Labour Studies

Ranjan K Baruah *

Labour force is integral part of any economy of the world. Whether developed or developing all countries needs labour force for different activities right from agriculture to industry and beyond. Labour may be organised or unorganised and if they are unorganised then they face more challenges in life. It is important to look at the welfare of the labour for smooth functioning of the economy and society.

Subjects like studying labour studies bring opportunities for individuals to get engaged in jobs and livelihood option related labour welfare and similar jobs. It is an interdisciplinary program which draws on history, sociology, political economy, women’s studies, industrial relations, and other fields in assessing the place of labour and working people in society.

Labour Studies prepare academic experts and professionals in policy making, research, working for the right of the labour force. Tata Institute of Social Science, Guwahati Campus offers MA in Labour Studies and Social Protection.

This programme deals with conceptual, theoretical and practical issues concerning the functioning and dynamics of work, labour and livelihood. Nature of employment patterns and employment relations has been changing over the period in the contemporary development.

The employment is characterised by growing informality and various forms of work related insecurities in the developed as well as developing nations. Workers in the developing countries are facing effects of globalisation and international restructuring of the global labour market in forms of sub-contraction, casualisation and contractualisation. The course has also an intense debate surrounding the impact of labour laws on employment generation.

Job options after studying this course may be limited but aspirants may create their own jobs if they use their skills and understand the need in the society. There are international origination like International Labour Organisation ( ILO) .

On 1 March 1960 the Governing Body of the ILO unanimously decided to establish the International Institute for Labour Studies which published reports and carry out different other activities . There are ministries like Labour and Employment in the states of India and also in central level.

Aspirants may also seek jobs like Labour Welfare Officer in industries or tea gardens; join research institutes or civil society organisations focussing on the welfare of labours in India or even outside India.

Updates:

NID Admissions: The National Institute of Design (NID), Ahmedabad has invited application for an entrance test to be held on January for admission to its Designing Programmes for the year 2020 -21. NID is an ‘Institute of National Importance’ as per the NID Act 2014 as well as an autonomous institute under the Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion (DIPP), Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India.

NID Vijayawada is an independent autonomous institute under the DIPP, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India and offers four-year long Graduate Diploma Programme in Design (GDPD). NID Kurukshetra is an independent autonomous institute under the DIPP, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India and offers four-year long Graduate Diploma Programme in Design (GDPD). Aspirants may apply before 7th November.

INSPIRE Fellowship: Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India is offering this INSPIRE fellowship. Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE), an innovative programme and graduates as well as masters students who are admitted in a PhD programme in Science and Technology are eligible to apply for the same . Aspirants may apply before 6th November.

National Fellowship and Scholarship: Ministry of Tribal Affairs is inviting applications for the National Fellowship and Scholarship for Higher Education of ST Students 2019-20 from ST students pursuing professional courses at Graduate/PG level and M.Phil/PhD level. Under this scheme, ST students are given financial assistance so as to encourage them pursue higher education. Aspirants must apply before 15th November.