The scope of labour economics is wide, covering such diverse topics
as income distribution, trade unions, unemployment and discrimination.
Much of the current attention devoted to labour economics comes from
those who are concerned with the comparatively low-living standards
of large sections of their community. The phenomenon exists; in
varying degrees, in all kinds of societies and in many socio-economic
systems. Attempts at improving these standards in accordance with
certain preselected social goals, necessitates careful analysis of
the complex labour structure relevant to the society in question.
The pattern of this kind of analysis is usually an examination of
income determination, earnings and differentials in a particular
labour market.
This study represents an attempt at such an analysis.
The object of the inquiry is to identify and to determine the relative
significance of certain variables such as age, sex, occupation,
education, experience, trade unionism, job stability, and discrimination
upon the wage and non-wage earnings of Indians employed in the Durban
Municipal area.
The results yielded by the analysis could then suggest reasons for undesirable conditions which could serve as a valuable guide in order
to decide upon the type of measures required to enhance the earning
capacity of the Indian labour force.