The Indian working class: Size and shape

Abstract

The book asks how far the working class in India is ready to lead the struggle for socialism at this point in time (1966), and attempts to answer the questions posed by AITUC general secretary S. A. Dange in 1963: “Has there been any basic change in the industrial structure of the country? What is the direction of this change? Has it affected the working class? – size, number, trade, caste, etc?” It focuses primarily on the period between 1951 and 1962, and has the following chapters: A brief survey; Historical growth of factory employment; Industrywise changes in the working class; Regional changes in the working class; Employment in the public sector; Employment in the unorganised sector; White collar workers; Occupational structure; Employment of women; Stabilisation and mobility; Literacy and education among industrial workers.