Muslims in The Indian Labour Market: Recent Trends

This paper has analysed the relative position of Muslims in the labour market. The analysis is divided into two sub-periods, i.e. 2011-12 to 2017-18 and 2017-18 to 2023-24 as the pattern of employment differs during these two sub-periods. The data for analysis have been taken mainly from the Employment and Unemployment Surveys of NSS 2011-12 and the Periodic Labour Force Surveys of National Statistical Organisation available annually from 2017-18 to 2023-24. The paper shows that the plight of the Muslims in the labour market does not show any marked improvement in the recent period. Their participation rate in labour and work remains low especially in case of females. Majority of Muslims are self employed and their presence in regular wage/salary jobs is low. Mostly the Muslims are engaged in low paid jobs. The earning levels of the Muslims are also low especially in comparison to Upper Caste workers. A large part of this difference is attributed to the poor endowment of Muslims especially in terms of education. It is suggested that the improvement in educational status of Muslims is a precondition for ensuring better labour market outcomes. Thus, positive discrimination is needed in favour of the Muslims to bring them in the mainstream.