Vol. 4, Issue 10, Part B (2018)

Abstract
The occurrence of discrimination on the labor market in the forms of wage/income disparities, occupational inequalities, and other forms is well-documented in the cases of race, color, and caste. However, a detailed investigation into the differences in working conditions has not been conducted. Through an analysis of unit-level data from the 68th round of the NSSO on employment-unemployment status as well as primary data collected in 2015–16, the current study seeks to understand this aspect of caste-based labor market discrimination in rural Punjab. The findings show that working conditions vary greatly between workers in rural Punjab who belong to different caste groups in society. The majority of scheduled caste (SC) workers perform physical labor in both agricultural and non-agricultural jobs as compared to non-scheduled caste laborers. They (SCs) work long hours per day and engage in more hazardous tasks than their non-SCs colleagues. Furthermore, SCs workers lack access to various contract jobs, paid leave, and social security benefits.