Work participation rates and employment structure of Muslim females in urban India: 2005–2010

Employment status is an indicator of the economic condition of the population. Employment also has some non-economic advantages, such as increasing an individual’s status and prestige in society, which in turn increases their decision-making power at home on vital issues like the education of children, marriages of children, etc. Since independence, Muslims’ performance in terms of education and employment remains unsatisfactory. The study uses the National Sample Survey (NSS) database on employment and unemployment (unit-level records). Both the principal activity status and subsidiary activity status have been taken into consideration while analysing employment characteristics. The purpose of the study is to examine work participation rates and the employment structure of Muslim women in urban India in comparison with that of men and women of other religious groups. It is found that the workforce participation rates among Muslim women are lower than those of other religious communities. Women are largely self-employed or employed as casual labour. Findings indicate that Muslim women have limited access to employment, especially in sectors that require higher levels of education. Education is the main determinant force for employment in better quality work. Muslim women are largely engaged in the manufacturing sector, especially textiles and wearing apparel and tobacco manufacturing.