Introduction:-
Where do you live, in a city or a village? If you live in a city, then you probably know much more about it! Cities are full of big buildings, busy roads, and crowded markets. People from different places come here for work. Some work in offices, some sell things on the streets, and some run big businesses. Let’s explore how people in cities or urban areas earn their livelihood!
What is an Urban Area?
- A place with many closely built houses, roads, markets, and offices.
- Cities have schools, hospitals, shopping malls, and big companies.
- Examples: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai and Hyderabad. (names of mega-cities)
Who Lives in Urban Areas?
- Businesspersons who own shops, factories, or offices.
- For Example:- Harpreet and Vandana are businesspersons who work as the heads of Showroom.
- Workers in banks, schools, hospitals, and government offices.
- For Example:- Nirmala , a tailor works in a garment factory.
- Street vendors, daily wage workers, and drivers.
- For Example:- The helpers of masons who get wages on daily basis till their work ends.
- Note:- The place where they sit and wait to get work is called ‘Labour chowk’.
- Migrant workers who come from villages to find jobs.
- For Example: Bachchu Manjhi is a rickshaw puller who earns daily wages.
Different Jobs in Urban Areas
- Casual Workers (Temporary or daily wage earners)
- Street Vendors, Rickshaw Pullers & Auto Drivers, Construction Workers, Domestic Helpers, Factory Workers.
- For Example:- Nirmala, a tailor in an export garment unit, stitches clothes but does not have a fixed salary.
- Regular Workers (Fixed salary jobs)
- Shopkeepers & Business Owners, Office Employees, Doctors, Teachers, Engineers, Police Officers & Lawyers.
- For Example:- Sudha, a marketing manager in a biscuit manufacturing company, has a regular job with a fixed salary.
Casual Workers V/s Regular Workers:-
| Casual Workers | Regular Workers |
| Casual workers earn daily wages based on the work they get. | Regular workers receive a monthly salary, even if work is less. |
| They can lose their job anytime without notice. | They have a more stable job and usually get prior notice before losing their job. |
| These workers do not get health insurance, paid leave, or pension. | Whereas, they get medical insurance, paid holidays, and pension after retirement. |
| They do different jobs, like construction work, street vending, or factory work. | They work in offices, schools, hospitals, and companies. |
| Moreover, they work in tough conditions and may not get work every day. | While, they work in a safe environment with proper facilities. |
| Example:- Bachchu Manjhi, Nirmala | Example:- Sudha |
New form of employment:-
With the growth of technology, call centers have become a new way of employment in cities.
- What is a call centre?
- A call center is an office where employees handle customer calls to provide services, solve problems, or sell products.
- Who Works in Call Centers?
- Mostly young people who are good at speaking English and Hindi.
- They work in shifts (day or night).
Crowded Cities: Life in Urban Areas
- Cities are full of people, vehicles, and buildings.
- Everywhere you go, there are crowded markets, busy roads, and packed public transport.
Conclusion:
Cities have many job opportunities, but life is not easy for everyone. Some people earn well, while others struggle to meet daily needs. Whether rich or poor, everyone in a city works hard to earn a living. They work day and night, which is why people say, ‘The city never sleeps!’
The chapter is now complete! I hope each concept was easy for you to understand and you feel confident about the material. Feel free to share your feedback and comments on the notes posted. Your thoughts are always welcome!
