POLITICAL AWARENESS AND DEMOCRATIC PARTICIPATION AMONG URBAN UNSKILLED LABOURERS: A STUDY ON STREET VENDORS AND DOMESTIC WORKERS IN SILCHAR, ASSAM

DOI: https://doie.org/10.65985/APER.2026284913

Authors:

Dr. Moses Kharbithai, Ashmi Nath

Keywords:

Political awareness, unskilled labourers, informal sector, street vendors, domestic workers, Silchar urban area, participatory democracy

Abstract:

Unskilled labourers play as a foundation role for an urban economy, yet their level of political awareness remains understudied, especially in small urban centres. Political awareness can empower them to demand better conditions, access welfare benefits, and hold authorities accountable. The lack of political awareness rips their democratic participation, and their isolated voices remain unheard. The main objective of this study is to explore the levels of political awareness of these workers, identify the factors influencing their awareness, and examine the barriers faced by them in participating in political process. With the help of the purposive sampling technique a total of 30 respondents-15 street vendors and 15 domestic workers- were interviewed, selected from ward 11 and ward 22 of Silchar, Assam. The findings reveal that low level of political awareness, limited knowledge of welfare schemes, and minimal engagement with governance processes, among unskilled labourers. Socio economic factors like education, economic vulnerability, media access, and gender significantly influenced awareness levels.

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