Occupational choice and multiple job holding in rural Gujarat
Jeemol Unni
Indian Economic Review 31(2): 157-183
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0019-4670 DOI: 10.2307/29793745Document Number: 342989
The paper studies the determinants of occupational choice of individuals in rural Gujarat, India. It examines the economic rationale for holding single or multiple jobs and undertaking self or wage employment. Using a stratified random sampling method a total of 3760 households was selected from 30 villages in five districts of Gujarat state during the year 1988/89. The households were stratified into four categories: cultivators, agricultural labourers, household industry (including skilled workers) and others. Three logit models (dichotomous, trichotomous and polychotomous models) were adopted to analyse the determinants of occupation choice. The study reveals that labour market behaviour in developing countries is complex. The problems of acute unemployment and low productivity levels prevail in the study region which is also influenced by the drought prone condition in Gujarat. The study suggests policies for improvement in productivity and to reduce risk in rural activities.