What is Working Class?
The working class is defined as the term that represents individuals in the socio-economic class, distinct with moderately paid jobs that require limited skill and little education. In some cases, individuals who are unemployed or backed by welfare programs are also included in the working class.
Understanding The Working Class
The working class is often referred to as blue-collar workers as individuals are mostly marked with physical labour and little education. However, the working class plays a vital role when it comes to building a nation’s economy.
Working Class in India
India is historically known for its agricultural economy mostly run by the peasants and artisans in the 1800s. During the British Industrial Revolution, artisans in the country played a huge role in producing raw materials and goods required for the British market.
India, known for its abundant resources, turned out to become a supplier of raw materials, such as coal, cotton and jute among others due to which peasantry in the country was severely exploited for cheap exports to England.
This led to artisans being displaced and eventually being unemployed with limited industrial jobs during the time. However, industrialisation in the country picked up in the mid-1800s after which employment opportunities came to the rise. Much to the dismay, the workers were exploited with extended working hours, intense physical labour, and poor wages.
Thanks to the onset of the Working Class Movement in India in the late 1800s, they gained considerably due to the public sector undertakings in the nation post-independence.
