Precarious Work and Coal Dependence in India: Just Transition Implications for Skill-Oriented Welfare Policies

Deep rooted socio-economic dependence on coal in India poses a considerable challenge to climate mitigation efforts. Workforce skilling, reskilling, and upskilling policies are key to deal with potential job losses due to coal phase-down. Drawing on Arne L. Kalleberg's Precarious Work framework, the study explores multifaceted dynamics of coal dependency, precarity, and skills in Raniganj, the oldest coal mining hub in India. Based on a sample of 4925 respondents residing in proximity to 57 coal mines, the analysis highlights skill awareness and training as an entry point to just transition for a coal dependent community. The major findings of the study are threefold. First, there is a significant lack of awareness about skill training in the community. Second, the aspiration for acquiring common job-relevant skills is very low. Third, amongst those who demonstrate some degree of awareness and aspiration, there is limited comprehension of how skill training contributes to career advancement. The article analyses the implications of these findings for the major skill development initiatives of the government - Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) and Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras (PMKK). The research untangles the challenges of anchoring just transition concerns to the existing welfare policies of India, as the country aims for self-reliance through its Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan.