Livelihood and Labour

With limited access to formal employment, many people in Uttarakhand depend on informal and seasonal labour that is often insecure and poorly paid. Women are particularly affected — they form a large part of the workforce in agriculture, road construction, NREGS, forestry, and home-based crafts, yet their contributions remain undervalued and unrecognised. This lack of fair wages and formal recognition further marginalises women within the informal sector.

We work toward the holistic improvement of livelihood opportunities in the region, focusing on strengthening economic security and promoting dignified work for rural communities, especially women and youth. ARPAN supports the registration of workers on the e-Shram portal and organises Job-Mango Abhiyan (job-seeking campaigns) under MGNREGS to ensure sustained employment for rural labourers. We also assist workers, particularly those in road construction, in recovering pending wages from contractors and facilitate their access to social security schemes, health insurance, and other welfare benefits. In addition, we promote the effective implementation of livelihood initiatives such as the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) and connect community members with skill development and vocational training programmes, fostering self-reliance and economic empowerment.