Women and work-_the_beedi_makers_of_indi

Welcome to the PresentationWelcome to the Presentation

Women and Work : TheWomen and Work : The
Beedi makers of IndiaBeedi makers of India
Rekha PandeRekha Pande
Department of History,School of Social SciencesDepartment of History,School of Social Sciences
University of HyderabadUniversity of Hyderabad
IndiaIndia

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

Women in Unorganized sectorsWomen in Unorganized sectors
India has a labor force of 300 million, majority ofIndia has a labor force of 300 million, majority of
which are women.which are women.
90% of this labor force belongs to unorganized90% of this labor force belongs to unorganized
sectors.sectors.
The number of women workers engaged inThe number of women workers engaged in
unorganized sectors increased from 94% inunorganized sectors increased from 94% in
1971 to 96% in 1991.1971 to 96% in 1991.
Women here continue to be invisible inWomen here continue to be invisible in
economic statistics and are ignored byeconomic statistics and are ignored by
legislators and planners.legislators and planners.

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

Beedi becomes popular in the west

BeediBeedi
Beedi industry is one of the largest in theBeedi industry is one of the largest in the
unorganized sectors.unorganized sectors.
It is mostly made by women and girls sitting atIt is mostly made by women and girls sitting at
home.home.
Beedi making is regarded as women’s workBeedi 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 isPutting 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 paidFor 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.

Andhra Pradesh & Study AreaAndhra Pradesh & Study Area

The Beedi IndustryThe Beedi Industry
An 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 costHelps employer make huge profits at low cost
risk and liabilities.risk and liabilities.
Dominated by SC’s, ST’s, OBC’s and MBC’s.Dominated by SC’s, ST’s, OBC’s and MBC’s.
There is a lot of exploitation in this industry.There is a lot of exploitation in this industry.
Yet this is important source of income, forYet this is important source of income, for
women’s earnings constitute on an average 45women’s earnings constitute on an average 45
to 50% of the total income.to 50% of the total income.

Organisation of the BeediOrganisation of the Beedi
industryindustry
The factory owner is the principalThe factory owner is the principal
employer who operates through aemployer who operates through a
number of firms.number of firms.
each branch has a specificeach branch has a specific
geographical jurisdiction.geographical jurisdiction.
a branch gets beedis rolled bya branch gets beedis rolled by
workers in the village through aworkers in the village through a
contractor.contractor.
The contractor gives raw material,getsThe contractor gives raw material,gets
the finished product.the finished product.

Role of the ContractorRole of the Contractor
The factory owner supplies raw material to theThe factory owner supplies raw material to the
contractor.contractor.
The contractor distributes these to the workers.The contractor distributes these to the workers.
800 grams of tendu leaves and 350 grams of800 grams of tendu leaves and 350 grams of
tobacco is supplied to make 1000 beedis, andtobacco is supplied to make 1000 beedis, and
the contractor can weigh less.the contractor can weigh less.
Hundreds of beedis pour in and these areHundreds of beedis pour in and these are
stacked in trays. At random he picks up two orstacked in trays. At random he picks up two or
three beedis and if they are not to the mark thethree beedis and if they are not to the mark the
whole lot is rejected.whole lot is rejected.

Objectives of the surveyObjectives of the survey
Examine the status of the women and child inExamine the status of the women and child in
the beedi industry.the beedi industry.
Analyze socioeconomic background of theAnalyze socioeconomic background of the
household.household.
Evaluate literacy status of mother and girl child.Evaluate literacy status of mother and girl child.
Evaluate the health status of mother and girlEvaluate the health status of mother and girl
child.child.
Suggest remedial measures and policy inputs.Suggest remedial measures and policy 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 size,- assessed family size,
occupation of members, total earnings ofoccupation of members, total earnings of
the household and earning from beedithe household and earning from beedi
making.making.
The motherThe mother - dealt with domestic work,- dealt with domestic work,
education, age of marriage, nutrition andeducation, age of marriage, nutrition and
health status, child feeding practices andhealth status, child feeding practices and
reproductive history.reproductive history.
The child workerThe child worker -assessed literary-assessed literary
status, working conditions, domestic workstatus, working conditions, domestic work
and health status.and health status.
Three questionnaires were administered.

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

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

Educational Level of Beedi Makers,Educational Level of Beedi Makers,
both Male and Femaleboth Male and Female
0.5
4.9
87.5
61.9
6.1
0.2 1.5
9.6
4.2 2 0
14.7
0
6.5
0 0.2
Not Alive Illiterate Literate
but no
Formal
Eucation
Primary Middle High
School
College Technical
Diploma
Male Female

WOMEN AND CHILDREN BEEDIWOMEN AND CHILDREN BEEDI
MAKERSMAKERS

Caste wise distribution of
House holds
61
31
10
3 1
OBC( Other backward Class) OC( Other Caste)
SC ( Schedule Caste) ST ( Schedule Tribe)
MBC( Most Backward Class)

Total Monthly income of theTotal Monthly income of the
HouseholdHousehold
Income Code
( Rs.)
% of House holds
<500 21.4
501 - 750 48.0
751 - 1000 18.0
1001 - 1250 7.5
1251 - 1500 1.4
1501 - 2000 1.5
2001 - 2500 0.8
> 2501 1.4

Number of Beedis made byNumber of Beedis made by
the women per daythe women per day
29
27
35
6.6
0.7 1.1
Pecentage
0 to 500 501 to 1000 1001 to 1500
1501 to 2000 2001 to 2500 2500 to 5000

Income From BeedisIncome From Beedis
Women workers(%)Women workers(%) Income (Rs)Income (Rs)
10.010.0 ≤≤ 300300
59.159.1 301 – 500301 – 500
14.914.9 501 – 750501 – 750
8.68.6 751 – 850751 – 850
4.14.1 851 – 1000851 – 1000
1.21.2 1001 -12501001 -1250
0.70.7 1251 – 15001251 – 1500
1.21.2 1501 - 20001501 - 2000
.2.2 ≥≥ 20012001

The Child WorkerThe Child Worker
Birth 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 -25.3%.the 1000 children, Girls-74.7% and Boys -25.3%.
65.8% of the girl children were going to school,65.8% of the girl children were going to school,
10.7% were drop outs and 22.8% had never been10.7% were drop outs and 22.8% had never been
to school.to school.
Boys made beedis only if less than 10 years ofBoys made beedis only if less than 10 years of
age. Worked in factory and were involved inage. Worked in factory and were involved in
packaging and transport.packaging and transport.

The ChildThe Child
WorkersWorkers

Number of beedis made per day byNumber of beedis made per day by
child workerschild workers
14.823.8
15.6
20.2
9.2
7.8
3.3
5.3
< 100 101 - 150 151- 200 201-250 251-300
301-400 401- 500 Over 500

No. of Beedis made by the GirlNo. of Beedis made by the Girl
childchild
% of child
Workers
No. of Beedis
Made
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 child toContribution of the child to
the Household incomethe Household income
0.8
0.3
0.2
2.7
0.4
95.6
Rs 250 Rs 251-400 Rs 401-500 Rs 501-600
Rs 601-700 Rs 701-800

Beedi making and diseaseBeedi making and disease
MotherMother Child WorkerChild Worker
Health hazardHealth hazard YESYES NONO YESYES NONO
Asthma/bronchitisAsthma/bronchitis 21.021.0 79.079.0 14.914.9 85.185.1
Frequent fever/cold/coughFrequent fever/cold/cough 78.278.2 21.821.8 87.887.8 12.212.2
Headache/giddinessHeadache/giddiness 59.459.4 41.641.6 50.250.2 49.849.8
Back ache/body acheBack ache/body ache 69.269.2 30.830.8 30.330.3 69.769.7
Pain in jointsPain in joints 34.434.4 65.665.6 14.414.4 85.685.6
Burning & itching in eyesBurning & itching in eyes 32.032.0 67.867.8 28.328.3 71.771.7
Peeling of skin/discoloring/rashesPeeling of skin/discoloring/rashes 27.927.9 72.172.1 26.026.0 74.074.0
TBTB 10.010.0 90.090.0 8.08.0 92.092.0
CancerCancer 1.71.7 98.198.1 0.30.3 99.799.7

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

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

InterventionIntervention
Women and girls are not in beediWomen and girls are not in beedi
making out of choice, but are glad it ismaking out of choice, but are glad it is
available. In this complex situation noavailable. In this complex situation no
single action can be effective.single action can be effective.
Education and awareness will triggerEducation and awareness will trigger
demands for better conditions of work.demands for better conditions of work.
Time saving , organized health careTime saving , organized health care
facilities.facilities.
Systematic assessment of women’sSystematic assessment of women’s
health.health.
Alternative methods of handlingAlternative methods of handling
tobacco.tobacco.

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

Lack of awarnessLack of awarness
Ignorance 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 toDid not know that early weaning could lead to
secondary lactation failure, gastrointestinalsecondary lactation failure, gastrointestinal
infection and iatrogenic malnutrition.infection and iatrogenic malnutrition.
Undiluted milk regarded as unfit forUndiluted milk regarded as unfit for
consumption.consumption.
Fruit juices were regarded as cold products andFruit juices were regarded as cold products and
were to be avoided.were to be avoided.
No hygiene while breast feeding.No hygiene while breast feeding.

Unhealthy Work EnvironmentUnhealthy Work Environment
The odor of the wet leaf and tobacco addThe odor of the wet leaf and tobacco add
to the already poor ventilation.to the already poor ventilation.
After a few years the work becomesAfter a few years the work becomes
monotonous with out any creativity.monotonous with out any creativity.
Women cannot take their eyes off for aWomen cannot take their eyes off for a
minute, and this takes a heavy toll onminute, and this takes a heavy toll on
eyesight.eyesight.
Confined to dark, small and closed space of
hut or workshop.

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

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

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

Beedi maker and exploitationBeedi maker and exploitation
In the case of beedi makers the exploitation isIn the case of beedi makers the exploitation is
rooted in class, caste and sexist nature ofrooted in class, caste and sexist nature of
society.society.
Living in a male dominated society, where theLiving in a male dominated society, where the
manufacturer, the contractor, the consumer ofmanufacturer, the contractor, the consumer of
the product are all male and only the actualthe product are all male and only the actual
worker is female.worker is female.
Performing domestic tasks these women workPerforming 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 ofThey have a low image and internalize many of
the values, passing it on to their daughters.the values, passing it on to their daughters.

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

Women and work-_the_beedi_makers_of_indi

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