Welcome to the Welcome to the Presentation Presentation

Women and Work : Women and Work : The Beedi makers The Beedi makers

of Indiaof India

Rekha PandeRekha PandeDepartment of History,School of Social Department of History,School of Social

SciencesSciencesUniversity of HyderabadUniversity of Hyderabad

IndiaIndia

The PaperThe PaperThe present paper examines the reality The present paper examines the reality of gender in the context of human of gender in the context of human rights, women’s work and exploitation.rights, women’s work and exploitation.We take a specific women’s occupation We take a specific women’s occupation in a micro enterprise in India, with in in a micro enterprise in India, with in the beedi industry, with a case study.the beedi industry, with a case study.We have taken Nizamabad, in Andhra We have taken Nizamabad, in Andhra Pradesh as a case study, but the Pradesh as a case study, but the reality is same all over India, be it reality is same all over India, be it Karnataka, Maharashtra, kerala or Tamil Karnataka, Maharashtra, kerala or Tamil Nadu. Nadu.

Women in Unorganized Women in Unorganized sectorssectors

India has a labor force of 300 India has a labor force of 300 million, majority of which are women.million, majority of which are women.90% of this labor force belongs to 90% of this labor force belongs to unorganized sectors.unorganized sectors.The number of women workers engaged The number of women workers engaged in unorganized sectors increased from in unorganized sectors increased from 94% in 1971 to 96% in 1991.94% in 1971 to 96% in 1991.Women here continue to be invisible Women here continue to be invisible in economic statistics and are in economic statistics and are ignored by legislators and planners.ignored by legislators and planners.

Beedi MakersBeedi MakersTobacco cultivation, processing and Tobacco cultivation, processing and marketing involves over 30 million marketing involves over 30 million people in India.people in India.Among them 90% are farm agricultural Among them 90% are farm agricultural Laborers, beedi rollers, tendu leaf Laborers, beedi rollers, tendu leaf pickers, all living in rural India.pickers, all living in rural India.This is the worst of the sweated This is the worst of the sweated industries where the employment of industries where the employment of women exceeds that of men.women exceeds that of men.

DEATHS DUE TO TOBACCO SMOKING

Beedi becomes popular in the west

BeediBeedi

Beedi industry is one of the largest in the Beedi industry is one of the largest in the unorganized sectors.unorganized sectors.It is mostly made by women and girls sitting at It is mostly made by women and girls sitting at home.home.Beedi making is regarded as women’s work Beedi making is regarded as women’s work because boys do not make beedis.because boys do not make beedis.Putting out system through the middle men is Putting out system through the middle men is common and the workers are piece rate basis.common and the workers are piece rate basis.For making 1000 beedis women are paid For making 1000 beedis women are paid

Rs.21 [(About 50 U.S. Cents.)Rs. 49=1$]Rs.21 [(About 50 U.S. Cents.)Rs. 49=1$]

Beedi is an indegenous cigarette in which tobacco is rolled in a tendu leaf and tied with a cotton thread.

Location

Andhra Pradesh & Study AreaAndhra Pradesh & Study Area

The Beedi IndustryThe Beedi IndustryAn ILO Survey points out that of 450 million worth of beedis produced annually only 160 million goes as wages.Helps employer make huge profits at low Helps employer make huge profits at low cost risk and liabilities.cost risk and liabilities.Dominated by SC’s, ST’s, OBC’s and Dominated by SC’s, ST’s, OBC’s and MBC’s.MBC’s.There is a lot of exploitation in this There is a lot of exploitation in this industry.industry.Yet this is important source of income, Yet this is important source of income, for women’s earnings constitute on an for women’s earnings constitute on an average 45 to 50% of the total income.average 45 to 50% of the total income.

Organisation of the Organisation of the Beedi industryBeedi industry

The factory owner is the The factory owner is the principal employer who operates principal employer who operates through a number of firms.through a number of firms.each branch has a specific each branch has a specific geographical jurisdiction.geographical jurisdiction.a branch gets beedis rolled by a branch gets beedis rolled by workers in the village through a workers in the village through a contractor.contractor.The contractor gives raw The contractor gives raw material,gets the finished material,gets the finished product.product.

Role of the ContractorRole of the Contractor The factory owner supplies raw material The factory owner supplies raw material to the contractor.to the contractor.The contractor distributes these to the The contractor distributes these to the workers.workers.800 grams of tendu leaves and 350 grams 800 grams of tendu leaves and 350 grams of tobacco is supplied to make 1000 of tobacco is supplied to make 1000 beedis, and the contractor can weigh beedis, and the contractor can weigh less.less.Hundreds of beedis pour in and these are Hundreds of beedis pour in and these are stacked in trays. At random he picks up stacked in trays. At random he picks up two or three beedis and if they are not two or three beedis and if they are not to the mark the whole lot is rejected.to the mark the whole lot is rejected.

Objectives of the surveyObjectives of the survey

Examine the status of the women and child Examine the status of the women and child in the beedi industry.in the beedi industry.Analyze socioeconomic background of the Analyze socioeconomic background of the household.household.Evaluate literacy status of mother and girl Evaluate literacy status of mother and girl child.child.Evaluate the health status of mother and Evaluate the health status of mother and girl child.girl child.Suggest remedial measures and policy Suggest remedial measures and policy inputs.inputs.Recommend social action plan.Recommend social action plan.

A survey was conducted in Nizamabad District in six villages to :

Materials and MethodsMaterials and Methods

The householdThe household - assessed family - assessed family size, occupation of members, size, occupation of members, total earnings of the household total earnings of the household and earning from beedi making.and earning from beedi making.The motherThe mother - dealt with domestic - dealt with domestic work, education, age of marriage, work, education, age of marriage, nutrition and health status, nutrition and health status, child feeding practices and child feeding practices and reproductive history.reproductive history.The child workerThe child worker -assessed literary -assessed literary status, working conditions, status, working conditions, domestic work and health status.domestic work and health status.

Three questionnaires were administered.

Sample and MethodologySample and MethodologyA rural sample of 60% and Urban A rural sample of 60% and Urban sample of 40%.sample of 40%.Sample of 1000 Households, 1000 Sample of 1000 Households, 1000 women and 1000 children.women and 1000 children.Circular random sampling method to Circular random sampling method to select a household.select a household.Random sampling method to select a Random sampling method to select a child worker.child worker.

Results and DiscussionsResults and DiscussionsThe HouseholdThe Household : :Families migrated over 15 years-53.2%. Families migrated over 15 years-53.2%. Always remembered living here-42.8%, < a Always remembered living here-42.8%, < a year-0.2%, 1to 5 years-1.2%, 6to 10years-year-0.2%, 1to 5 years-1.2%, 6to 10years-1.8%.1.8%.Majority of fathers ( 33.2%) 31-35 years. Majority of fathers ( 33.2%) 31-35 years. Majority of mothers ( 41.2%) 26 to 30 Majority of mothers ( 41.2%) 26 to 30 years.years.62% fathers and 88% mothers were 62% fathers and 88% mothers were illiterate.illiterate.Majority of the fathers were agricultural Majority of the fathers were agricultural laborers and majority of the mothers were laborers and majority of the mothers were beedi makers.beedi makers.

Educational Level of Beedi Educational Level of Beedi Makers, both Male and Makers, both Male and

FemaleFemale

0.54.9

87.5

61.9

6.10.2 1.5

9.64.2 2 0

14.7

06.5

0 0.2Not Alive Illiterate Literate

but noForm alEucation

Prim ary M iddle H ighSchool

College TechnicalDiplom a

M ale Fem ale

WOMEN AND CHILDREN BEEDI WOMEN AND CHILDREN BEEDI MAKERSMAKERS

Caste wise distribution of House holds

61

31

103 1

OBC( Other backw ard Class) OC( Other Caste)

SC ( Schedule Caste) ST ( Schedule Tribe)

M BC( M ost Backw ard Class)

Total Monthly income of the Total Monthly income of the HouseholdHousehold

Incom e Code( R s.)

% of H ouse holds

< 500 21.4501 - 750 48.0751 - 1000 18.01001 - 1250 7.51251 - 1500 1.41501 - 2000 1.52001 - 2500 0.8

> 2501 1.4

Number of Beedis made by Number of Beedis made by the women per daythe women per day

29 27

35

6.60.7 1.1

Pecentage0 to 500 501 to 1000 1001 to 15001501 to 2000 2001 to 2500 2500 to 5000

Income From Beedis Income From Beedis Women workers(%)Women workers(%) Income (Rs)Income (Rs)

10.010.0 ≤ ≤ 30030059.159.1 301 – 500 301 – 500 14.914.9 501 – 750 501 – 750 8.68.6 751 – 850 751 – 850 4.14.1 851 – 1000 851 – 1000 1.21.2 1001 -1250 1001 -1250 0.70.7 1251 – 1500 1251 – 1500 1.21.2 1501 - 20001501 - 2000.2.2 ≥ ≥ 2001 2001

The Child WorkerThe Child WorkerBirth order of 66.6% girls- first and 20.1% Birth order of 66.6% girls- first and 20.1% - second. So household work and sibling care.- second. So household work and sibling care.the 1000 children, Girls-74.7% and Boys -the 1000 children, Girls-74.7% and Boys -25.3%.25.3%.65.8% of the girl children were going to 65.8% of the girl children were going to school, 10.7% were drop outs and 22.8% had school, 10.7% were drop outs and 22.8% had never been to school.never been to school.Boys made beedis only if less than 10 years Boys made beedis only if less than 10 years of age. Worked in factory and were involved of age. Worked in factory and were involved in packaging and transport.in packaging and transport.

The The Child Child WorkersWorkers

Number of beedis made per day Number of beedis made per day by child workers by child workers

14.823.8

15.6

20.29.2

7.83.35.3

< 100 101 - 150 151- 200 201-250 251-300 301-400 401- 500 O ver 500

No. of Beedis made by No. of Beedis made by the Girl childthe Girl child

% of child W orkers

N o. of Beedis M ade

14.8 < 100 23.8 101 - 150 15.6 151 - 200 20.2 201 - 250 9.2 251 - 300 7.8 301 - 400 3.3 401 - 500 5.3 > 500

Contribution of the Contribution of the child to the Household child to the Household

incomeincome

0.80.30.2

2.7

0.4

95.6

Rs 250 Rs 251-400 Rs 401-500 Rs 501-600Rs 601-700 Rs 701-800

Beedi making and diseaseBeedi making and diseaseMother Mother Child Child

WorkerWorkerHealth hazardHealth hazard YESYES NONO YESYES NONO

Asthma/bronchitisAsthma/bronchitis 21.021.0 79.79.00

14.914.9 85.185.1

Frequent fever/cold/coughFrequent fever/cold/cough 78.278.2 21.21.88

87.887.8 12.212.2

Headache/giddinessHeadache/giddiness 59.459.4 41.41.66

50.250.2 49.849.8

Back ache/body acheBack ache/body ache 69.269.2 30.30.88

30.330.3 69.769.7

Pain in jointsPain in joints 34.434.4 65.65.66

14.414.4 85.685.6

Burning & itching in eyesBurning & itching in eyes 32.032.0 67.67.88

28.328.3 71.771.7

Peeling of Peeling of skin/discoloring/rashesskin/discoloring/rashes

27.927.9 72.72.11

26.026.0 74.074.0

TBTB 10.010.0 90.90.00

8.08.0 92.092.0

CancerCancer 1.71.7 98.98.11

0.30.3 99.799.7

Summing UpSumming UpBeedi making women were young and Beedi making women were young and illiterate from landless families.illiterate from landless families.The husbands occupation was irregular The husbands occupation was irregular and earnings minimal and burden of and earnings minimal and burden of large families fell on women.large families fell on women.The girl child assisted the mother The girl child assisted the mother after school or even dropping from after school or even dropping from school.school.They did all domestic work and spent They did all domestic work and spent nine to ten hours in actual beedi nine to ten hours in actual beedi making, besides related activities making, besides related activities like getting raw material, cutting like getting raw material, cutting leaves, soaking them, handing over leaves, soaking them, handing over finished products.finished products.

BackacheBackacheMost of the activities of beedi Most of the activities of beedi making performed in a sitting making performed in a sitting posture, sitting on the floor with posture, sitting on the floor with crossed legs, with right or left leg crossed legs, with right or left leg bent at knee or with legs extended. bent at knee or with legs extended. So prolonged sitting with forward So prolonged sitting with forward trunk bent led to sustained static trunk bent led to sustained static construction of the back muscle. construction of the back muscle. Severe joint pains and back aches.Severe joint pains and back aches.

InterventionInterventionWomen and girls are not in beedi Women and girls are not in beedi making out of choice, but are glad it making out of choice, but are glad it is available. In this complex is available. In this complex situation no single action can be situation no single action can be effective.effective.Education and awareness will trigger Education and awareness will trigger demands for better conditions of work.demands for better conditions of work.Time saving , organized health care Time saving , organized health care facilities.facilities.Systematic assessment of women’s Systematic assessment of women’s health.health.Alternative methods of handling Alternative methods of handling tobacco.tobacco.Compulsory use of nose masks and Compulsory use of nose masks and goggles.goggles.

Economic constraint Economic constraint and mother child and mother child

proximityproximityDomestic work and nature of work Domestic work and nature of work affected mother child proximity.affected mother child proximity.Many women who dropped out of infant Many women who dropped out of infant care during breast feeding belonged to care during breast feeding belonged to low income groups. low income groups. The choice was between making beedis The choice was between making beedis and survival or the luxury of and survival or the luxury of childcare.childcare.Many women faced severe financial Many women faced severe financial constraint during two months of breast constraint during two months of breast feeding. feeding.

Lack of awarnessLack of awarnessIgnorance about proper weight gain.Ignorance about proper weight gain.Did not consider burping of any use.Did not consider burping of any use.Did not know that early weaning could lead Did not know that early weaning could lead to secondary lactation failure, to secondary lactation failure, gastrointestinal infection and iatrogenic gastrointestinal infection and iatrogenic malnutrition.malnutrition.Undiluted milk regarded as unfit for Undiluted milk regarded as unfit for consumption.consumption.Fruit juices were regarded as cold Fruit juices were regarded as cold products and were to be avoided.products and were to be avoided.No hygiene while breast feeding.No hygiene while breast feeding.

Unhealthy Work Unhealthy Work EnvironmentEnvironment

The odor of the wet leaf and The odor of the wet leaf and tobacco add to the already poor tobacco add to the already poor ventilation.ventilation.After a few years the work becomes After a few years the work becomes monotonous with out any monotonous with out any creativity.creativity.Women cannot take their eyes off Women cannot take their eyes off for a minute, and this takes a for a minute, and this takes a heavy toll on eyesight.heavy toll on eyesight.

Confined to dark, small and closed space of hut or workshop.

Tobacco DustTobacco Dust

Continuous exposure of tobacco dust Continuous exposure of tobacco dust led to led to burning of the burning of the eyes,conjunctivitis, rhinitis, mucous eyes,conjunctivitis, rhinitis, mucous dryness and bronchitis.dryness and bronchitis.Higher absorption of nicotine which Higher absorption of nicotine which damaged the respiratory, circulatory and damaged the respiratory, circulatory and reproductive system in the long run.reproductive system in the long run.Skin rashes and yellowing of the skin Skin rashes and yellowing of the skin and peeling of the skin due to handling and peeling of the skin due to handling of tobacco.of tobacco.

Reproductive ProblemsReproductive ProblemsWomen suffered many problems like Women suffered many problems like abortions, still births and abortions, still births and reproductive tract infections.reproductive tract infections.Many women complained of prolonged Many women complained of prolonged labor when compared to women who labor when compared to women who worked as agricultural laborers.worked as agricultural laborers.Since they were seated most of the Since they were seated most of the time, no circulation of blood in time, no circulation of blood in their thighs or legs and hence their thighs or legs and hence complicated delivery.complicated delivery.

Attitude towards HealthAttitude towards HealthRegarded beedi making largely Regarded beedi making largely responsible for minor ailments like responsible for minor ailments like headache, giddiness, body ache, peeling headache, giddiness, body ache, peeling of skin.of skin.These were “Minor ailments”, for it only These were “Minor ailments”, for it only caused irritation and discomfort and caused irritation and discomfort and never came in the way of beedi making.never came in the way of beedi making.Did not regard beedi making leading to Did not regard beedi making leading to asthma, bronchitis, T.B. or Cancer, and asthma, bronchitis, T.B. or Cancer, and these were serious for one was laid in these were serious for one was laid in bed and could not work.bed and could not work.

Beedi maker and Beedi maker and exploitationexploitation

In the case of beedi makers the In the case of beedi makers the exploitation is rooted in class, caste and exploitation is rooted in class, caste and sexist nature of society.sexist nature of society.Living in a male dominated society, where Living in a male dominated society, where the manufacturer, the contractor, the the manufacturer, the contractor, the consumer of the product are all male and consumer of the product are all male and only the actual worker is female.only the actual worker is female.Performing domestic tasks these women work Performing domestic tasks these women work fourteen to fifteen hours for a pittance.fourteen to fifteen hours for a pittance.They have a low image and internalize many They have a low image and internalize many of the values, passing it on to their of the values, passing it on to their daughters.daughters.

ConclusionConclusionHuman Rights and Health cannot be Human Rights and Health cannot be isolated from class, caste and gender.isolated from class, caste and gender.Human Rights has to be understood in Human Rights has to be understood in the context of the socio-economic system the context of the socio-economic system which is exploitative in the case of which is exploitative in the case of beedi worker.beedi worker.Improvement in health conditions should Improvement in health conditions should deal primarily with improvement in deal primarily with improvement in quality of life.quality of life.Health programs should have linkages Health programs should have linkages with programs for protected water with programs for protected water supply, environment, sanitation. supply, environment, sanitation. Better work environment needed.Better work environment needed.

Thank you Thank you