Sociology of Just Transition: Examining the Precarious Work and Coal Dependence

• In Event: 20881 - Section on Labor and Labor Movements Roundtables
  In Refereed Roundtable (60 minute): Table 3: Precarity and Beyond

Abstract

With energy transition gaining pace, coal regions in India stare are structural transformations that complicates the already precarious workforce. Existing sociological approaches have identified the problem of the coal region and various precarious work separately. The paper provides a comprehensive knowledge of coal dependency and precarious work, analyzing occupation, livelihood, and skill. Drawing on the survey of 4925 respondents from 132 villages in Raniganj, West Bengal, the study highlights the interconnections between coal dependence and precarity. The analysis finds statistically significant links of coal dependency with three types of precarity – occupational, livelihood, and skill precarity. The article aims to advance the state-of-the-art understanding of just transition from a precarious work perspective and enable policymakers to develop better strategies for future coal phase-out in a just manner. Last but not least, the paper will be used as a touchstone for delivering insights into a new sub-discipline: the sociology of just transition.

Authors

• Pritha Sarkar, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

• Pradip Swarnakar, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

• Rajshri Shukla, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur