Correct Option
The correct option is (a).
Explanation
Employment in India is broadly classified based on the nature of the contract and the security associated with it. Permanent workers (regular salaried employees) are characterized by job security and social security benefits, whereas casual workers are engaged on a temporary basis without such protections.
Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: Permanent workers are on the regular payroll of an enterprise and receive a regular salary at specific intervals (e.g., monthly). In contrast, casual workers are not on the regular rolls and are typically remunerated through daily wages or payment per specific task performed.
- Statement 2 is Incorrect: Casual workers generally do not enjoy fixed or regulated working hours to the same extent as permanent workers. Their engagement is often sporadic and dependent on the immediate demand for labor, whereas permanent workers have defined working hours and shifts protected by labor laws.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: This statement describes the condition of casual workers, not permanent ones. Permanent workers enjoy job security and cannot be easily terminated due to fluctuations in workload. Casual workers are typically the first to be asked to leave when there is a decrease in work or demand.
Key Takeaway: The defining distinction between permanent and casual workers lies in job security and social security benefits (like PF, gratuity, and paid leave), which are available to permanent employees but generally denied to casual laborers.