Living Standards of Saltpan Workers

1. Living Standards of Saltpan Workers
Aug 08, 2020
Virtual Consultation, MSSRF
Science for Resilient Food, Nutrition & Livelihoods: Contemporary Challenges

2. Tuticorin &
Nagapattinam
80% of state’s
salt
production
Tamil Nadu is
the 2nd largest
producer in
the country
India is 3rd
largest
producer of
salt in the
world

3. How is salt made
Land Preparation Crystallizing and scraping
Collection Packaging

4. •Corrosive atmosphere causes
damages externally and internally
•Excessive dehydration
•Continuous & laborious work
•Poor nutrition
•Reduced life expectancy
•Undignified labor, odd work hours
•150-200 days of wage work
•Fluctuating wages
•Seasonal, monsoon a bane
•In Debt Cycle with the
producer/informal lender
•No influence in salt value chain
•Air – Micron level salt crystals with
humidity and fierce winds
•Soil – hyper saline
•Brine is 10-15 times more
concentrated than sea water
•Temperature crossed 45° Celsius
•Continuous stretch of hundreds of
acres with no shade & Salt glares
•Peculiar major constitution of the
scheduled caste & other backward
communities
•Located in secluded hamlets
•Mostly illiterate
•Less awareness on their
entitlements
•School drop-outs
•Alcohol & substance abuse
Socio-
economics
Hostile work
environment
Health
hazard
Employment
insecurity
Quality of life of Saltpan Worker

5. Fissured heels
Osteoporosis, Arthritis
Dermatitis, Keratinized palms,
Callosities, cracked nails
Kidney failure, kidney stone
Respiratory track infection (upper &
lower), Pulmonary fibrosis
Teeth pitting, crookedness, cavities
Conjunctivitis, cataract, sore eyes,
redness, burning & itching, dimming
of vision, salt glares
Reddening of hair,
headache
Neck pain, Thyroid
problems
Ulcers, abdomen pain
Urinary tract
infections
Other
Anemia
Hypertension
Gynecological disorders
Lower bank pain
HealthVulnerabilities/Damages

6. Chronic Dehydration
• The nature of work and hazards associated demand
replenishment of body fluids and appropriate nutrition
• Salt pan workers who has a significant portion of women
work force lack access to toilets/urinals
• They either hold urine for long hours or avoid drinking
adequate amount of water
Toilet or any construction is challenging due to:
• Corrosive and harsh windy atmosphere damages the
structure soon
• Fear of contamination of salt – Traders might reject the
produce or simply because saltpans are considered sacred
to workers
• High ground water table and flooding in monsoon

7. Urinal Pan
Outlet
Valve for flushing
Halophytes
Legumes
Concrete
bed
An Attempt…
Zero Liquid Discharge Urinal
Water
storage
Cylindrical
cabinet

8. Micro –
• To build physical capability & resilience:
o Nutrition intervention
o Re-hydration
• Design research on:
o Specialized PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for salt workers
o Resilient structural spaces like shades, restrooms etc.
• Building alternative livelihood capacities
• Leveraging on existing entitlements
• Audits & monitoring by the Salt Dept. on adherence to human &
labor rights standards
Macro –
• Awareness & dialogue amongst general public & policy makers
• Inclusion & participation of salt workers, formation of institutions like
cooperatives for salt and other associations
• Explore automation/mechanization in the sector
Restructuring the Normal of Saltpan Worker

9. Thank you!