An Economic Analysis of Brick-Making Workers in Kolhapur City

The brick-making industry constitutes an important segment of the informal sector in India and provides livelihood opportunities to a large number of economically marginalized workers. Despite its contribution to urban infrastructure and construction activity, the sector remains characterized by low wages, poor working conditions, and absence of social security. The present study undertakes an economic analysis of brick-making workers in Kolhapur city with the objective of examining their socio-economic profile, employment characteristics, educational attainment, and wage structure. The study is based on primary data collected from 92 brick-making households comprising 272 workers, including both male and female labourers. Descriptive statistical techniques such as percentages and comparative analysis are employed to interpret the data. The findings reveal that the majority of brick-making households belong to the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category, indicating that poverty and lack of alternative livelihood opportunities are the primary factors compelling workers to engage in this occupation. Educational attainment among workers is found to be low, with most workers having education only up to the secondary school level, thereby restricting their access to better employment options. Gender-wise analysis shows significant participation of female workers; however, a pronounced gender wage disparity exists, with women receiving substantially lower wages than men despite performing similar manual tasks. Economic compulsion emerges as the dominant reason for engagement in brick-making work, highlighting the vulnerability and dependency of workers on informal employment. The study concludes that brick-making workers in Kolhapur city remain economically and socially disadvantaged. It emphasizes the need for effective policy interventions such as enforcement of minimum wages, promotion of gender wage equality, access to education and skill development, and inclusion of brick-making workers under social security and welfare schemes to improve their overall living and working conditions.