Exercise Solutions Available
Step-by-step answers for all textbook questions in this chapter
How City People Earn a Living
People in cities earn in three main ways:
| Way | Example |
|---|---|
| Self-employed | Street vendors, shopkeepers, rickshaw pullers, mechanics, tailors |
| Permanent (regular) workers | Office and factory staff with steady pay |
| Casual / temporary workers | Daily-wage construction, temporary factory work |
Self-Employed and Street Workers
- Many city people work for themselves.
- Examples: street vendors, shopkeepers, rickshaw pullers, mechanics, tailors, barbers.
- They earn what they can each day — there is no fixed salary.
Problems of Street Vendors
- They need a licence to sell on the street.
- They often face harassment and eviction by officials.
- They have no fixed income and no job security.
A rickshaw puller or a vendor may earn well one day and almost nothing the next.
Working in Factories
Factory work has two main kinds:
| Type | Features |
|---|---|
| Permanent (regular) | Steady pay, paid leave, provident fund, some security |
| Casual / temporary | Paid by the day, removed anytime, no leave, no security |
- Casual workers are the most uncertain — they can lose work any day and have no benefits.
- Many factories are noisy and dusty, and workers may have to stand or work fast for long hours.
Workers' Rights and Laws
To protect workers, the law gives:
| Right / rule | What it means |
|---|---|
| Minimum wage | Workers must be paid at least a fixed amount |
| Limited working hours | Long hours and overtime must be regulated |
| Safe conditions | Safe and clean workplaces |
| Trade unions | Workers can join together to demand fair treatment |
- A trade union helps workers bargain for better pay, hours and safety.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Self-employed | A person who runs their own small work |
| Street vendor | A person who sells goods on the street |
| Licence | Official permission to do a business |
| Permanent worker | A regular worker with steady pay and leave |
| Casual worker | A daily-wage worker with no security |
| Minimum wage | The lowest legal pay for a worker |
| Trade union | A group of workers that fights for their rights |
| Provident fund | A savings scheme for regular workers |
Exam Tips
- The three ways city people earn — self-employed, permanent, casual — is a standard 3-mark list.
- Permanent = steady pay, leave, security; Casual = daily wage, no leave, no security — a favourite "difference" question.
- Street vendors need a licence and face harassment/eviction — no fixed income.
- Laws protect workers through minimum wage, limited hours, safe conditions, trade unions.
- Trade union = workers joining to demand fair rights — define it clearly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Permanent workers have steady jobs with regular pay, paid leave and some security. Casual workers are paid by the day, can be removed at any time, and get no leave or job security.