This paper presents some results of a sample survey of small-scale manufacturing enterprises operating within the jurisdiction of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation area. The main purpose of this survey was to collect information on wage-earnings and other benefits received by different categories of workers engaged in small-scale manufacturing enterprises producing diversified products. A sample of 316 enterprises and about 2,162 hired workers engaged in these enterprises was taken. The sample was drawn in the form of interpenetrating sub-samples which facilitated calculation of standard errors, by using a properly designed sampling scheme from a list of units registered with the State Directorate of Small-Scale Industries. The data collected in this survey, permits estimation of not only the distribution and average earnings of hired workers by industry groups but also makes it possible to analyse variation in income across occupation categories and to examine influence on income of such factors like the level of education, skill, tenure of employment, size of the unit and so on. The information brings out very clearly the dismal condition of the workers in this sector.
