Understanding Labor Categories: How Do We Define and Wage Skilled, Unskilled, and Semi-Skilled Work?

Understanding Labor Categories

What is the meaning of skilled labor, unskilled labor, and semi-skilled labor? How do we categorize these grades, and what are the corresponding wages? Please help me.

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Regards,

Dear Jaitesh,

The skill level will be decided as per the category of the workmen. Helper, Male Coolie, Female Coolie are considered as Unskilled. Buffing Mason, Chipper, Khalasi, Assistant Carpenter, Assistant Fitter, and all the assistant workmen are considered as Semi-Skilled. For these types of jobs, they need some skill level. That's why they are placed as Semi-Skilled.

Mason, Carpenter, Bar Bender, Fitter, Driver, Operators, Painter, Plumber, Mechanic, Rigger, etc., are required to have the maximum skill level as the work demands. So, these categories are considered as Skilled Workmen.

According to their skill level, the wages will also be fixed for the workmen. The government will ensure that the minimum wages are paid to the workmen. If you make excess payment, then the question of less payment does not arise.

As you mentioned that you are working as a Time Keeper in Dubai, how did you get selected there?

All the best, Jaitesh_p.

Hi viewers,

Good evening everybody. I am working in a well-reputed construction company in Hyderabad, and we have a requirement for Supervisors to work at our New Orissa Irrigation project.

The criteria are as follows:
- Only unmarried male candidates are eligible.
- Qualification: 10th pass/fail or above, but candidates should be proficient in reading and writing English and Hindi languages.
- Good knowledge in computers (especially with MS Office).
- Location of work is in Orissa.

Please reach out to me at [Login to view].

Regards,
Raghavendra

Please go through the Minimum Wages Act of 1948 along with the rules applicable in your state. The details are defined within the Act.

I am sharing the following, which an industrial engineer explained to me in the 80s while categorizing the employees. This can be debated if required.

Unskilled worker: a worker who is expected to do manual work and needs no skill required for operators/technicians.

Semi-skilled worker: a worker who can read a blueprint (drawing) and is able to do the work as per the drawing with guidance/instruction.

Skilled worker: a worker who can read the blueprint and make the items without instructions; he may ask queries for modifications or at times suggest modifications in the original plan.

Dear Sir,

Skilled, semi-skilled, and unskilled categories of workers are generally defined by state labor department notifications, which also ascertain the minimum wages to be paid for those categories. Normally, these categories are as follows:

Skilled - Fitter, Electrician, Instrument Mechanic, Boiler Attendant, Operator, Turner, Shaper man, Fabricator, Welder, Driver, etc., who have a minimum of 5 years of experience in their respective fields.

Semi-skilled - Assistant fitter, assistant electrician, assistant operator, who assist a technician/fitter/turner/operator, etc., and have less than 5 years in their field.

Unskilled - Those who perform unskilled jobs and do not require any formal competencies for that job, such as Guard, Peon, Gardener, Helper, etc.

Dear Jaitesh,

Some clarification to resolve your query on Skilled/Semi-Skilled/Unskilled Labour:

1. Skilled - An employee who is capable of working efficiently, of exercising considerable judgment, and discharging his duties efficiently.

2. Semi-Skilled - one who does work generally of a well-defined routine nature, wherein the major requirement is not so much of judgment, skills, and dexterity, but of the proper discharge of duties assigned to him for a relatively narrow job, and important decisions are made by others. His work is thus limited to the performance of routine operations of limited scope.

3. Unskilled - One who does an operation that involves the performance of simple duties which require the exercise of little or no independent judgment or previous experience, although familiarity with the occupational environment is necessary. His work may thus require, in addition to physical exertion, and familiarity with a variety of articles or goods.

The categories have more or less been defined by other members. Hope this answers your query.

As regards the wages, all state governments issue regular and timely notifications to this effect under the Minimum Wages Act. Kindly get hold of one applicable to your location. It is available on the net.

Regards,

Ashok Kalia

Classification of Skills Categories

(A) Highly Skilled: A highly skilled employee is one who performs work requiring exceptional skill or competence and possesses supervisory abilities.

(B) Skilled: A skilled employee is capable of working independently and efficiently, producing accurate results. They should be able to interpret simple drawings, circuits, and processes when necessary.

(C) Semi-Skilled: A semi-skilled employee has adequate knowledge of a specific trade or industry to perform assigned tasks using basic tools and machines.

(D) Unskilled: An unskilled employee lacks specialized training and performs basic duties without requiring significant independent judgment or prior experience, although familiarity with the work environment is essential.

Unskilled positions include peons, chowkidars, durbans, watchmen, cleaners, sweepers, loaders, helpers, and malis.

Semi-Skilled positions consist of gatekeepers (cinema), assistant operators, assistant electricians, bookbinders, waiters or bearers, and malis with technical experience.

Skilled positions include electricians, mechanics, tailors, and cooks.

Clerical and supervisory staff roles encompass book clerks, typists, receptionists, telephone operators, and traveling salesmen.

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I have a project for my company, and they have asked me to write a list of criteria related to skills, semi-skills, and unskilled criteria. This project involves hiring staff for a construction project, such as electricians, mechanics, pipefitters, welders, and so on. Could anyone help me by providing a proposed list of skills for each job?

Thank you,

Regards,
Sami

The skill level will be determined based on the nature of work, expertise, and experience. An electrician without a license may be considered semi-skilled, while one with a license will be classified as skilled. Mechanics and pipe fitters' categorization will depend on the availability of workers in the market, and you can assign their category accordingly. However, for welders, the decision will be based on their qualifications. If a welder is certified in 5G or 6G, they should not be classified at a simple skilled rate, as they would expect more than that. Welders with qualifications at the 2G or 3G level can be placed at the skilled level.

I hope you understand my perspective. Please make the necessary adjustments accordingly.

Regards

Thank you, sir, for your great advice. Please note my case is as follows:

Interviewing for Construction Jobs

I have to interview more than 500 individuals to classify them for construction jobs. My question is, are there any criteria that can assist me in determining which jobs require specific skills, such as X being a skilled job and Y being semi-skilled, and so on.

Regards