Factors Determining Choice of Mode of Employment by the Rural Non-Farm Workers:An Analysis of Field Survey Data From West Bengal

This paper analyses data collected through field surveys in West Bengal to understand the factors that determine the rural workers' choice of mode of employment in the non-farm sector. The paper also looks into employment and earnings levels of the non-farm workers under different modes of employment. The questions specifically addressed are: (i) What has been the degree of participation in the non-farm sector by the rural workers? (ii) What are important modes of employment for the rural non-farm workers? (iii) What are different activities/sub-sectors in which the non-farm workers under different modes of employment are involved? (iv) What have been the 'intensity of employment' and 'earnings per worker' under different modes of employment in the non-farm sector? (v) What are main determinants of the rural non-farm workers' choice of mode of employment.