RAIGAD

Raigad has a diverse economy, with employment spanning agriculture, fishing, manufacturing, construction, and tourism. According to the Maharashtra Economic Survey (2023), a significant portion of the workforce is engaged in farming, horticulture, and fishing, with crops such as rice, coconut, betel nut, and mangoes being the main agricultural products. The district is also known for coastal fisheries and aquaculture, which provide livelihoods to communities along the Konkan coast.

The manufacturing and industrial sector is expanding due to the presence of MIDC (Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation) industrial zones in Patalganga, Taloja, and Roha. These hubs provide employment in the chemical, pharmaceutical, and engineering industries. Additionally, construction, real estate, and tourism have become major employment generators, particularly in Alibag, Karjat, and Panvel, where urbanization and infrastructure projects are growing rapidly.

Employment in Raigad is seasonal in nature, especially in agriculture and fishing. The kharif season (June to October) creates a surge in demand for laborers in rice cultivation, while the fishing season peaks post-monsoon when marine and inland fishing activities increase.

However, during the off-season, many workers turn to daily wage labor in construction, industrial work, or migrate to nearby cities like Mumbai and Pune for employment. According to the Maharashtra State Migration Report (2022), seasonal migration is a key trend in Raigad, with workers moving to Mumbai for employment in hospitality, domestic work, and gig economy jobs. Sugarcane-cutting work in Western Maharashtra is another significant area where Raigad’s landless laborers seek employment during the lean agricultural season.

Women in Raigad actively contribute to agriculture, fisheries, and cottage industries. However, as per the Self-Employed Women’s Association, gender wage disparity continues to exist, particularly in farm labor and unorganized sectors. Women are extensively involved in coir-making, fish drying, handicrafts, and cashew processing, often through self-help groups under the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission.

Government initiatives such as Mahila Arthik Vikas Mahamandal have been supporting women entrepreneurs in setting up micro-businesses in food processing, tailoring, and handicrafts. Additionally, the Ministry of Women & Child Development (2023) has launched Sakhi Niwas hostels to provide safe accommodation for working women in industrial areas like Taloja and Patalganga, enabling greater participation in formal employment.

The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted employment in Raigad, leading to reverse migration from Mumbai and Pune. According to the Maharashtra Labour Welfare Board (2022), many returning workers resorted to subsistence farming, fishing, and MGNREGS (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme) work to sustain themselves.

The pandemic accelerated shifts towards gig-based work, with an increase in delivery services, e-commerce logistics, and digital entrepreneurship. Many small-scale entrepreneurs started home-based food businesses, poultry farming, and agro-tourism ventures, leveraging the rising trend of eco-tourism in Karjat, Alibag, and Murud.

Additionally, technical upskilling programs under the National Skill Development Corporation have helped workers transition into jobs in IT services, automobile repair, and plumbing, ensuring diversification in employment.

Labor unions in Raigad primarily represent industrial workers, construction laborers, and fishing communities. The Raigad Industrial Workers’ Union has been advocating for minimum wages, social security, and better working conditions in MIDC areas. The Fishermen’s Cooperative Society in Alibag and Murud works towards securing fair prices for fishers and ensuring access to modern equipment.

The Construction Workers’ Federation of India has been actively addressing the exploitation of daily wage laborers, particularly in the Panvel and Karjat construction belt, where real estate and infrastructure projects are booming. However, informal sector workers, particularly domestic workers and gig workers, remain largely ununionized, making them vulnerable to low wages and job insecurity.

Raigad has several technical and vocational training institutes to equip the workforce with skills for industrial and service sector jobs. Key institutions include:

• Government Polytechnic, Pen, is offering engineering diploma programs in civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering.
• Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) in Alibag, Panvel, and Roha provide courses in plumbing, welding, and electrical repairs.
• Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University (DBATU) in Lonere provides higher technical education in engineering and applied sciences.

The Directorate of Vocational Education and Training (DVET, 2023) has launched skill development programs in tourism, food processing, and entrepreneurship to support local employment generation.