Hidden Wage Gaps: How Disabled Workers in Vidarbha Face Unequal Pay

thenewsdirt
Sep 12
8 min read

Persons with disabilities in Maharashtra's Vidarbha region earn significantly less than their non-disabled counterparts, creating a stark economic divide that compounds existing regional inequalities. Official data reveal that disabled workers in the region face wage discrimination across government schemes, private employment, and pension systems. In Maharashtra, disabled individuals can receive as little as Rs 1,500 per month through combined state and central pension schemes, recently increased to Rs 2,500 per month as of September 2025.

Despite representing 2.64 percent of Maharashtra's population, disabled workers remain economically marginalised through systematic pay disparities that affect their fundamental livelihood security.

The wage gap becomes more pronounced when examining employment participation rates. Census data indicate that while 36.34 percent of disabled persons nationally are classified as workers, Vidarbha's disabled population faces additional barriers that reduce their economic participation. Maharashtra ranks sixth nationally for disabled worker representation at 42.13 percent, yet the actual wages earned by disabled individuals remain substantially lower than standard minimum wage rates.

The disparity extends beyond basic employment to encompass pension schemes, government employment programmes, and private sector opportunities.

Pension System Perpetuates Economic Marginalisation

The disability pension structure in Maharashtra creates a foundation of economic disadvantage for disabled residents. Under the combined Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme and Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Anudan Yojana, disabled individuals aged 18-65 years receive Rs 1,500 per month until September 2025, when the amount increases to Rs 2,500 per month.

This pension amount represents a fraction of basic living costs in Vidarbha's urban centres like Nagpur and Amravati.

For comparison, non-disabled individuals earning minimum wage in Maharashtra receive daily payments ranging from Rs 307-346 under MGNREGA, which translates to monthly earnings of Rs 9,210-10,380 for full employment.

The pension eligibility criteria further restrict access to these limited benefits. Applicants must demonstrate minimum 40 percent disability, possess domicile certificates, and navigate bureaucratic processes that often delay payments for months.

Research indicates that pension scheme delays have become endemic across Vidarbha, with disabled individuals experiencing months-long gaps in payments due to digitisation issues and bureaucratic bottlenecks.

The Aadhaar-based payment system failures particularly affect disabled individuals whose biometric information may be unstable or difficult to authenticate.

Regional data shows that Vidarbha accounts for nearly 6 lakh of Maharashtra's 48 lakh registered unemployed persons.

Among this population, disabled individuals face compounded disadvantages in accessing both employment opportunities and social security benefits. Districts like Gadchiroli and Chandrapur, which feature prominently in national lists of backwards areas, demonstrate how geographic marginalisation intersects with disability-based economic exclusion.

Employment Discrimination Reduces Earning Potential

Disabled workers in Vidarbha encounter systematic wage discrimination across employment sectors. International Labour Organization research indicates that disabled workers globally earn 12 percent less per hour than their non-disabled counterparts, with this gap reaching 26 percent in lower-middle-income countries.

Maharashtra's disabled workforce experiences similar disparities, compounded by regional economic challenges that affect the broader Vidarbha population.

The February 2025 Memorandum of Understanding between Maharashtra government and Youth for Jobs organisation specifically targets Vidarbha for disabled employment initiatives, acknowledging the region's particular challenges.

Private sector companies, including Lifestyle International, Aditya Birla Fashion, Reliance Trends, and HPCL have committed to participating in placement drives, yet wage parity remains unaddressed in these agreements. Training programmes customised for different disability types focus on skill development rather than addressing wage disparities that persist even after successful placement.

Government employment presents additional challenges despite 4 percent reservation requirements for disabled individuals. Implementation remains inadequate across Vidarbha districts, with many reserved positions remaining unfilled due to procedural delays and inadequate outreach.

Even when disabled candidates secure government positions, they often face discrimination in promotion opportunities and additional allowances. Maharashtra implemented a 4 percent reservation in promotions for disabled employees in 2023, following central government policy, yet enforcement mechanisms remain weak.

The agricultural sector, which employs substantial portions of Vidarbha's population, demonstrates particular wage discrimination against disabled workers.

Seasonal employment patterns combine with disability-based exclusion to create precarious income situations.

During agricultural crises, when non-disabled workers turn to MGNREGA employment, disabled individuals face additional barriers in accessing these opportunities despite specific provisions for their inclusion.

MGNREGA Implementation Fails Disabled Workers

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act contains specific provisions for disabled workers, mandating equal wages and identifying suitable work categories. Government guidelines explicitly state that disabled persons should not be paid lower wages compared to other MGNREGA workers.

However, implementation across Vidarbha districts reveals significant gaps between policy intentions and ground reality.

MGNREGA wage data shows disabled workers received Rs 1,578.94 lakh in wages across Maharashtra during 2023-24, with current financial year payments reaching Rs 1,583.36 lakh as of March 2024. These figures represent a small fraction of total MGNREGA disbursements, indicating limited participation by disabled workers.

The programme's structure theoretically provides Rs 307 daily wages in Maharashtra, yet disabled workers often receive reduced payments due to productivity-based calculations and administrative barriers.

Biometric attendance requirements under MGNREGA create particular challenges for disabled workers in Vidarbha. Infrastructure gaps and technology failures affect disabled individuals disproportionately, leading to wage payment delays and exclusion from work opportunities.

Research indicates that only 29 percent of MGNREGA wage payments were made within the mandated seven-day period, with disabled workers experiencing longer delays due to authentication difficulties.

The identification of suitable works for different disability categories remains inconsistent across Vidarbha districts.

While guidelines specify tasks like plantation, irrigation-canal digging, and water sprinkling for workers with various mobility limitations, local implementation often lacks the flexibility needed to accommodate different disability types.

Administrative rationing contradicts the programme's demand-driven design, with disabled workers facing additional barriers in accessing guaranteed employment.

Regional Economic Context Compounds Discrimination

Vidarbha's broader economic challenges exacerbate wage disparities faced by disabled workers. The region's per capita income of Rs 65,368 compares poorly with Maharashtra's average of Rs 2.8 lakh, creating a context where all workers face reduced earning potential.

Within this economically disadvantaged region, disabled workers encounter additional discrimination that further reduces their income opportunities.

The concentration of the disabled population in rural areas compounds wage disparities. Census analysis shows that approximately 75 percent of Vidarbha's disabled population resides in rural areas, where employment opportunities remain limited and wage rates lag behind urban centres.

Districts like Washim show 90 percent of the disabled population in rural areas, where access to formal employment and fair wage structures remains constrained.

Industrial development patterns in Vidarbha have historically excluded disabled workers from mainstream economic opportunities. While Nagpur serves as a regional commercial centre, the benefits of urban employment have not extended to disabled residents who face transportation barriers, workplace accessibility issues, and employer discrimination.

The outward migration of young workers seeking better opportunities particularly affects disabled individuals who lack mobility and resources to relocate.

Gender intersects with disability to create additional wage disadvantages.

Research indicates that disabled women in Maharashtra face 6 percent lower wages than their male disabled counterparts, adding another layer to economic marginalisation.

The traditional gender roles prevalent in Vidarbha's rural areas restrict disabled women's economic participation further, limiting their access to both employment and independent income sources.

Systemic Barriers Perpetuate Economic Inequality

The wage disparities affecting disabled workers in Vidarbha reflect deeper systemic barriers that prevent economic integration. Physical accessibility remains the most significant obstacle, with 95 percent of disabled job seekers highlighting workplace access concerns.

The absence of ramps, accessible washrooms, and appropriate workstation modifications creates insurmountable barriers that effectively exclude disabled workers from many employment opportunities.

Transportation infrastructure inadequacies compound accessibility challenges across Vidarbha. The region's public transport systems lack basic accessibility features, making it difficult for disabled workers to reach available employment opportunities.

Even when jobs offer fair wages, transportation barriers prevent disabled individuals from accessing these positions, effectively maintaining wage disparities through exclusion.

Educational and skill development gaps create additional wage disadvantages for disabled workers. Studies indicate that 40 percent of disabled individuals in similar regions lack employability skills, limiting their access to higher-wage opportunities.

The absence of specialised training centres in rural Vidarbha means many disabled individuals cannot acquire market-relevant skills necessary for better-paying employment.

Employer attitudes and workplace discrimination maintain wage disparities even when disabled workers secure employment. Research indicates that 36 percent of disabled job seekers face discrimination based on incorrect assumptions about their capabilities. These prejudices manifest in hiring processes, workplace treatment, and advancement opportunities that ultimately affect long-term earning potential.

The lack of reasonable accommodations represents a form of indirect wage discrimination. Many employers across Vidarbha demonstrate reluctance to provide necessary workplace modifications, citing cost concerns or a lack of awareness of accommodation requirements.

This denial of reasonable accommodation constitutes discrimination under Indian disability rights legislation, yet enforcement remains inconsistent across the region.

Recent policy initiatives demonstrate government recognition of disabled wage disparities but show limited effectiveness in addressing fundamental economic inequalities.

The September 2025 increase in disability pension from Rs 1,500 to Rs 2,500 per month represents a 67 percent improvement, yet the amount remains insufficient to meet basic living costs in Vidarbha's current economic environment.

The Youth for Jobs partnership specifically targeting Vidarbha acknowledges regional employment challenges for disabled individuals. Over the next five years, the initiative will issue Unique Disability ID cards to registered disabled individuals, facilitating access to government schemes and employment opportunities.

However, the programme does not address wage parity issues or enforcement mechanisms to prevent discrimination.

Maharashtra's implementation of 4 percent reservation in promotions for disabled government employees follows central government policy but lacks robust monitoring systems.

The policy applies to Group D through Group A lower level positions, yet procedural compliance remains inconsistent across Vidarbha districts. Without effective enforcement, reservation policies may not translate into meaningful wage improvements for disabled workers.

The state's financial assistance schemes for disabled self-employment provide up to Rs 1,50,000 through 80 percent bank loans and 20 percent subsidies. While these programmes offer alternatives to traditional employment, they do not address wage discrimination in formal sector jobs or ensure sustainable income generation for disabled entrepreneurs.

Micro-credit finance schemes initiated by the Maharashtra government provide low-interest loans for disabled entrepreneurs, yet access remains limited in rural Vidarbha districts. The schemes require documentation and collateral that many disabled individuals cannot provide, effectively excluding those who need support most urgently.