Author(s): K. Sangeeta
The employment of contractual workforce in the organised manufacturing industries through a mediator is a globally observed trend. The prime focus of this study is, an exclusive comparative analysis of the vulnerability level among contract workers employed in different job categories so as to provide an insight into the variations in the vulnerability faced by them and the reasons thereof. Based on a sample of 350 respondents across several job categories including unskilled and semiskilled workers engaged as contract labourers employed in the manufacturing units in the industrial estates in Goa, this cross sectional study, presents an analysis of the impact of job category, education level and gender on the vulnerability of the workers .This research provides the foundation for strategic planning process to reduce the vulnerability. The findings show that vulnerability level differs significantly among the contract workers employed in different job category. A more determined implementation of the legislative provisions made under the labour law complimented with a stronger thrust on the creation of awareness among the workers about the legislative provisions made for them, would definitely reduce the feeling of vulnerability among the workers. This paper contributes to the existing literature on understanding the different level of vulnerability of the contract workers and suggesting measures to reduce it and throwing light on the shortcoming of the present strategies adopted for the labour welfare.