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A STUDY ON SOCIO – ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF SALTPAN

WORKERS IN TUTICORIN DISTRICT

Dissertation submitted to the University of Madras

In partial fulfillment of the requirements

for the award of the degree of

MASTER OF ARTSIN

ECONOMICS

by

V. AROCKIA AMUTHAN

(Reg. No.: 093EC117)

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMICS

MADRAS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE (AUTONOMOUS)

TAMBARAM, CHENNAI – 600 059

TAMIL NADU, INDIA

April – 2011


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Prof. G. SURESH DHAS, M.A.,Head of the Department,Department of Economics,Madras Christian College,Tambaram,Chennai – 600 059.

CERTIFICATE FROM THE SUPERVISOR

This is to certify that the thesis, entitled “A STUDY ON SOCIO – ECONOMIC

CONDITIONS OF SALTPAN WORKERS IN TUTICORIN DISTRICT”,

submitted to the University of Madras, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for

the award of the Degree of MASTER OF ARTS IN ECONOMICS, is a record

of original research work done by Mr. V. AROCKIA AMUTHAN during the

period 2009-2011 of his study in the Department of Economics at Madras

Christian College, Tambaram, Chennai, under my supervision and guidance and the

dissertation has not formed the basis for the award of any Degree / Diploma /

Associateship / Fellowship or other similar title to any candidate of any University.

Date : Prof. G. Suresh Dhas

Place: Tambaram Head of the Department


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V. AROCKIA AMUTHAN,Register Number : 093EC117Post Graduate StudentDepartment of EconomicsMadras Christian CollegeTambaramChennai – 600 059.

DECLARATION

I V. AROCKIA AMUTHAN hereby declare that the thesis, entitled

“A STUDY ON SOCIO – ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF SALTPAN

WORKERS IN TUTICORIN DISTRICT” submitted to the University of Madras,

in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of

Master of Arts is a record of original research work done by me during 2009-2011

under the Supervision and guidance of Prof. D. SURESH DHAS, Head of the

Department, Department of Economics and it has not formed the basis for the award

of any Degree / Diploma / Associateship / Fellowship or other similar title any

candidate in any University.

Date :

Place : Tambaram. V. Arockia Amuthan


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I thank the almighty for having given me the will power and good health to

reach my goals in every stage of my life, and who made me to rise to this level.

Foremost, I would like to express my deep and sincere gratitude to my guide

Prof. D. Suresh Dhas, M.A., Head of the Department, Department of Economics,

Madras Christian College for awakening an inveterate interest in the subject of study

and for his able guidance and supervision. Despite his multifarious pre-occupations

with his academic and administrative responsibilities, constant encouragement and

irreproachable assistance extended by him in the preparation of this dissertation

work enabled me to complete the thesis on schedule and to the present shape. In fact,

his patience, kindness, and generosity went for beyond the responsibilities of a

supervisor. I am grateful to him but the debt I owe him will remain forever unpaid.

I would like to give my sincere thanks to Dr. C. Selvaraj, Principal,

St. Thomas’s Arts and Science College, Chennai for his motivation to focus on the

studies.

I thank Dr. R.W. Alexander Jesudasan, Principal, Madras Christian

College for given me the opportunity to undertake this study.

I would also take this opportunity to thanks Mr. Arun Koshy, Assistant

professor, Department of Economics, Madras Christian College for his constant

support and inspiration.

I owe my thanks to Dr. C. Ramesh, Associate Professor, Department of

Economics, Aditanar College of Arts and Science and Mr. V. Siva Elango,

Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Aditanar College of Arts and

Science, Tiruchendur for his encouragement and advice for the collection of primary

data.

I express my gratitude to Mrs. V. Valliammal, Associate Professor,

Department of Economics, V.O.Chidambaram College, Tuticorin for her well

focused direction towards this study.


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I owe my thanks to Mr. Sagadevan, Assistant professor, Department of

Economics, Madras Christian College for his valuable suggestions and

encouragement.

I also remember the support provided by the Rev. Fr. Victor Lobo, Director,

Mr. Stephen, Manager, Mr. Rajinton and Mr. Siluvai Field Supervisors Tuticorin

Multipurpose Social Service Society (TMSSS), Tuticorin for their cooperation and

helping me with providing needed information during the time of my internship.

I also extend my thanks to Dr .C. Joseph Barnabas, Warden, St. Thomas’s

Hall and Associate Professor of History, Madras Christian College, Tambaram,

Chennai.

I have no words to thank my parents for their support and love.

Finally I would like to thank my friends Mr. G. Babu, Mr. Shyam,

Mr. Azhagarsami, Mr. V. Jabez, Mr. Sandeep and Mr. Rishy for their advice

and encouragement through out to the study.

My sincere thanks to each and every one who were directly or indirectly

involved in the successful completion of this dissertation.

Date :

Place : Tambaram. V. Arockia Amuthan


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CONTENTS

Certificate from the supervisor........................................................................i

Declaration ....................................................................................................ii

Acknowledgements.........................................................................................iii

Contents……...................................................................................................v

List of Tables..................................................................................................vi

List of Figures................................................................................................ix

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION………………..…….........….............…………..1

CHAPTER 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE...........................................................13

CHAPTER 3: OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY.........................................21

CHAPTER 4: PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA….............................................29

CHAPTER 5: ANALYSIS OF THE DATA...........................................................35

CHAPTER 6: FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSTIONS.................73

SUMMARY………………………………………….……………85

APPENDICES

APPENDIX – I BIBLIOGRAPHY......................................x

APPENDIX – II QUESTIONNARIE.................................xiii

APPENDIX – II MAP OF TUTICORIN DISTRICT.........xx


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List of Tables

Table 4.1 Salt industry in Thoothukudi District at a glance……..........................34

Table 5.1 Age of the respondents..........................................................................35

Table 5.2 Caste of the respondents…....................................................................37

Table 5.3 Educational status of the workers…......................................................39

Table 5.4 Size of the family……………………………………...........................40

Table 5.5 Types of housing in salt workers...........................................................41

Table 5.6 Facilities in salt worker house…...........................................................42

Table 5.7 Respondent having facilities at their home...........................................44

Table 5.8 Respondent working experience in salt industry………………….......45

Table 5.9 Occupational distribution of workers………………............................46

Table 5.10 Distributions of respondents family income per month…...................48

Table 5.11 Additional income from other source..................................................50

Table 5.12 Monthly expenditure of the respondents..........................................51


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Table 5.13 Debts of the respondents………………..........................................53

Table 5.14 Debt repaying by the respondents......................................................53

Table 5.15 Source of the debts of the respondents……....................................54

Table 5.16 Debts range of the respondents…………..........................................56

Table 5.17 Reason for the debts of the respondents...............................................57

Table 5.18 Savings of the respondents...................................................................59

Table 5.19 Saving institutions of the respondents.............................................59

Table 5.20 Monthly savings of the respondents…….........................................60

Table 5.21 Distributions of workers according to the pattern of

diseases……………….……………………….......................62

Table 5.22 Facilities in saltpan workers village…………………….....................64

Table 5.23 Treatment taken by the respondents….................................................66

Table 5.24 Membership of the various government development schemes

for respondents ……………..………………….....................67


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Table 5.25 Respondents received assistance from Tamilnadu manual

workers social security scheme and welfare………………........68

Table 5.26 Interest to sending their children work for salt industry………...........70

Table 5.27 Education level of children of the respondents……............................71


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List of Figures

Figure 5.1 Age wise distribution of workers.......................................................36

Figure 5.2 Caste of the respondents….................................................................38

Figure 5.3 Facilities in salt worker house…………............................................43

Figure 5.4 Occupational distribution of workers….............................................47

Figure 5.5 Distributions of respondents family income per month….................49

Figure 5.6 Monthly expenditure of the respondents……………………............52

Figure 5.7 Source of the debts of the respondents...............................................55

Figure 5.8 Reason for the debts of the respondents………………….................58

Figure 5.9 Monthly savings of the respondents ……………………..…..........61

Figure 5.10 Distributions of workers according to the pattern of

diseases………………….………………….......................63

Figure 5.11 Facilities in saltpan workers village ……………..………...............65

Figure 5.12 Respondents received assistance from Tamilnadu manual

workers social security scheme and welfare………………….69

Figure 5.13 Education level of children of the respondents …….………..........72


CHAPTER - I


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CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION

Salt is an important physiological necessity of life. With an enormous and growing

population, the demand for salt is of vital importance. Actually there was a salt famine in certain

parts of India during the Second World War.

Salt is used for several purposes. It is used for cooking as table salt and as a preservative

in the preparation of condiments, pickles and food stuffs. It is also used to a limited extent in

agriculture as an insecticide, wood killer and for stock feeding. It finds use in curing fish, meat

packing, dairying and other industries to prevent deterioration. It is used in several industries

such as glass, leather, soap, oil purification, dyestuffs, textiles, ceramics, refrigeration etc. its

largest use in the manufacture of sodium components viz. Soda ash, caustic soda, sodium

sulphate etc. In United States out of the total production of 9.3 million tones, the demand for the

manufacture of soda ash, caustic soda and sodium sulphate amounted to 5.32 million tones. In

India since the outbreak of the Second World War the industrial uses of salt have been growing

up steadily.

Out of the total production, about 60 per cent comes from the private sector and the rest

from the public sector. Small scale sector, co-operative and unlicensed sector account for

30 per cent of the production. With the rapid industrial development, the demand for salt is on

the increase. The project demand for 2000AD is likely to be of the order of 15mt.

Weather plays an important role in this industry. A major portion of the production is

concentrated on the; west coast in Gujarat and Maharashtra and Rajasthan contributing 55 – 60

per cent. The Tuticorin belt in Tamil Nadu accounts for 20 per cent out of this 35 per cent.

The Seasonal rains threaten he industry in the East coast as a result of which salt become

dearer to the consuming centers nearby due to the problems in transportation.


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As the industry handles bulk commodities, the pricing and profits depend on the end uses.

However, the industry was not given due importance as it was seasonal in nature. It lacks

sufficient infrastructural facilities and modernization. It is labour intensive.

HISTORY AND CULTURE OF SALT

The history of salt production can be traced back to the done of human civilization. In

ancient time when seawater evaporated in pits, white layer was formed and it was found tasty

and people stated consuming it. The white layer was nothing but ‘Salt’. Like this it was the

beginning of civilization as well it was the beginning of salt production. This has a long and

intriguing history. It has shaped civilizations from the very beginning, and story is a glittering,

often surprising part of the history of mankind. A substance so valuable it served as currency,

influences the establishment of trade routes and cities, provoked and financed wars, secured

empires and inspired revolutions. As the time advanced uses of salt increased and the method

producing salt also become a very important process. In modern times salt has about 14000

known uses from food to industry to de-icing. Presently, about 120 nations are actively engaged

in salt production.

Salt exists in all animal and vegetable life and is covered with life itself. It must have

been present in the first herbage that gave nourishment to the first beast. The history of salt is

thus the history of civilization on earth. In the beginning man must have absorbed sodium

chloride from the uncooked flesh of animals, birds and fish. Herbivorous animals found little

salt in grasses and instinct directed them to sea swamp pasturages and to outcropping deposits of

salt.

A deficiency of salt must have occurred and been felt by man, when he first began to use

fire and boil food, sine in boiling certain percentage of salt is removed by water. His bards then

must have directed his attention to “salt licks” from which they satisfied their silence wants and

so enabled him to secure salt at a distinct condiment. Man in the beginning must have got salt

supply from brine springs, sea and outcrops of salt. There is no record to show when salt was

first employed in cooking, but the salt as a condiment certainly shows a great advance in

civilization.


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Salt history dates back to Mohall emperor time / British rag / Government of India from

1947. Salt is used for various purposes, edible, industrial exports, textile industry, fish curing

hides and skins, and very rarely as fertilizers to coconut trees.

Salt has been equally important in trade and politics. Many earlier cultures used it as

currency some primitive tribes gave gold, weight for weight, to purchase salt. Many countries

controlled salt as a state monopoly. The salt tax, among other things provoked the French

revolution. A similar salt tax was a principal issue in Gandhi’s civil disobedience movement

against the British that eventually lead to India’s independence.

During the British period salt production / trading was a government monopoly. In

recognition of the symbolic defiance of the state monopoly during the independence struggle salt

duty was abolished and a directive principle was incorporated in the constitution of India that salt

should remain free of duty. Salt also ceased to be an article of monopoly. Salt an “essential

item” is a central subject under the seventh schedule of the constitution and all aspects of the salt

industries are controlled by the central government through the salt commission organization.

SALT INDUSTRY ORGANASATION IN INDIA

Salt is a central subject in the constitution of India and appears as item No.58 of the union

list of the 7th schedule, which reads:

a) Manufacture, supply and distribution of salt by union agencies, and

b) Regulation and control of manufacture, supply and distribution of salt by other

agencies.

The central government is responsible for controlling all aspects of the salt industry. The

Salt Commissioners Organisation under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of

Industrial Policy and Promotion), Government of India is entrusting rusted with the above task.

The Salt Commissioner Head Office at Jaipur and under the Deputy Salt commissioners

posted at Chennai, Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Jaipur. There are four Assistant Salt


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Commissioners posted at Jodhpur, Kolkata and two in Gujarat. The Chief Labour Commissioner

(Central) of ministry of Labour is one of the members of Salt Welfare Board since 1999.

SALT INDUSTRY IN INDIA

India is the third largest Salt producing Country in the World after China and USA with

Global annual production being about 230 million tones. The growth and achievement of Salt

Industry over the last 60 years has been spectacular. When India attained Independence in 1947,

salt was being imported from the United Kingdom & Adens to meet its domestic requirement.

But today it has not only achieved self-sufficiency in production of salt to meet its domestic

requirement but also in a position of exporting surplus salt to foreign countries. The production

of salt during 1947 was 1.9 million tones which have increased tenfold to record 20 million tons

during 2005.

SOURCES OF SALT

The main sources of salt in India are

Sea brine

Lake brine

Sub-soil brine and

Rock salt deposits

MAJOR SALT PRODUCING CENTERS:

Sea water is an inexhaustible source of salt. Salt production along the coast is limited by

weather and soil conditions. Marine Salt works along the coast of Gujarat (Jamnagar,

Mithapur,Jhakhar, Chira, Bhavanagar, Rajula, Dahej, Gandhidham, Kandla, Maliya, Lavanpur),

Tamil Nadu (Tuticorin, Vedaranyam, Kanniyakumari), Andhra Pradesh (Chinnaganjam,


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Iskapalli, Krishnapatnam, Kakinada & Naupada), Maharashtra (Bhandup, Bhayandar, Palghar),

Orissa (Ganjam, Sumadi) and West Bengal (Contai)

Inland Salt Works in Rajasthan using lake brine and sub-soil brine viz. Sambhar Lake,

Nawa, Rajas, Kuchhaman, Sujangarh and Phalodi Salt works in Rann of Kutch using sub-soil

brine viz: Kharaghoda, Dhrangadhra; Santalpur Rock Salt Deposits at Mandi in the State of

Himachal Pradesh The major salt producing centers .

PROFILE & STATUS OF SALT INDUSTRY IN INDIA

There are about 13000 salt manufacturers engaged in production of Common salt in an

extent of about 5.50 lakh acres in the Country. It is estimated that 90 per cent of the total number

of salt manufacturers are small salt producers (having an individual extent of less than 10 acres

for salt manufacture), 5.5% is large scale producers (having an individual extent of more than

100 acres) and 4.5 % is medium scale producers (having an individual extent between 10 and

100 acres) . Average Annual Production of Salt in India is 176 lakh tones whereas ever high

production of 199 lakh tones was recorded during 2005 followed by 181 lakh tonnes during

2006. Gujarat, Tamil Nadu and Rajasthan are surplus Salt producing States accounting for

about 96 per cent of the Country’s production. Gujarat contributes 76 per cent to the total

production, followed by Tamil Nadu (12 %) and Rajasthan (8%). The rest 4% production comes

from Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Karnataka, West Bengal, Goa, Himachal Pradesh,

and Diu & Daman. On an average 62% of the total production is from large salt producers

followed by small scale producers (36%) and rest by medium scale producers.

The average annual supplies of salt for human consumption is about 57 lakh tonnes and

that for industrial consumption is about 83 lakh tones; 57% of the salt for human consumption

moves by rail and 43 % by road. 89% of the salt for industrial consumption moves by road, 7 %

by rail and 4% by coastal shipment to various industries; when the total indigenous supplies is

taken, 69 per cent moves by road, 27% moves by rail and 3% by sea. India exports surplus

production of salt to the tune of about 25 lakh tonnes on an average during the year 2005, a

record export of 38 lakh tonnes was achieved primarily due to surge of demand from China.


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Other major countries importing salt from India are Japan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, South Korea,

North Korea, Malaysia, U.A.E., Vietnam, etc.

SALT INDUSTRY IN TAMILNADU

With its extensive coast line along the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal, India is one of

the important countries in Asia and the far east, producing salt by solar evaporation process. The

salt industry in Tamilnadu is long established one. This salt works the largest one around

Thoothukudi namely Veppalodai Salt Works and the Dharangadhara Chemical and industrial

Corporation Ltd., in Salem District and Western Indian Match Company salt workers at

Vedranyam in Tanjore District. The salt produced in these large unit is mostly consumed by salt

based industries in and outside the state, beside there are a number of unlicensed salt works in

the state with an area of less than 10 acres each and they remain scattered in all the coastal

district of the state. There exists a large concentration of unlicensed. Salt works in and around

Thoothukudi, Vedaranyam and Ramanathapuram.

Salt has been one of the oldest industries on the coastal tracts of Tamilnadu. A poet

describes salt as the “White stone nectar” salt was manufacture by collecting sea water in salt

pass in the coastal areas called “Neidal” and by solar evaporation.

Manufactures of salt were treated almost like the tillers of the soil and they were actually

called the “Ula-Ulaver”(non-tilling farmers). Once the salt had been manufactured these farmers

awaited the traders who transported the salt from the pans to the market. They were called

“Umaner”. The site on which sea water was actually allowed to evaporate was called

“Uppalam”. The use of word “Kuppai” indicates that salt was collected in heaps. The traders

were roaming about the country transporting salt from place to place so that they were known as

persons who had no settled habitation and were leading a nomadic life.

There is a Tamil expression used namely Uppukkoseygai which H.Krishna Satstri

suggest can be split up to into three words namely Uppu (salt) + to (King) + Seygai (activity in

manufacture). From this Satstri infers, credibly enough that royalty paid for the manufacture of


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salt. This did not perhaps mean the same as the salt monopoly system which was introduced by

the British in the 19th century.

In medieval Tamilnadu, it seems that the Government supervised and controlled the

manufacture of the salt and subjected it, “to heavy impost in kind and money local central”. Salt

pans were worked in Marakkanam and Kanyakumari salt however manufactured to a greater as

lesser extent all along the coast. In the South regional year of Chola King Rajadhiraja

(1048 AD). “The payment of one per cent of manufacture salt to the Rajaraja Perunjalai on

Nanjilnadu was ordered to the officials and supervision of the pans by Rajadhi Raja - I”.

During the Muslim period, salt was taxed, the tax was a share of the manufactured

quantity of salt. This tax constituted either a rest for the privilege of manufacture of that

commodity or of a transit duty on leaving the place of manufacture.

Thus, it will be seen that though the centuries before the East India Company took over

the administration of what became the Madras Presidency in 1801. The state had always evinced

on interest in salt manufacture and trade. In the medieval period however the state interest

becomes clear and we have guidance for even taxation which perhaps was treated as a sort of

rent. There is no evidence as it fixation or any sort of control of price either wholesale or retail

sale of salt.

In Tamilnadu, particularly salt has been manufactured in the Chinglepet district

especially at Covelong and Chanampet in the South Arcot District at Marakkanam and

Cuddalore in the Tanjore district at Nagapatinam, Vedaraniyam and Adirampatnam, in the

Tuticorin district at Kayal, Keranur, Kulasekapatnam and Mullakadu, in Ramnad at Vattanam

and in the neighborhood of Madras city and the cape. The number of major salt manufacturing

centers in quite high and the coast has earned a reputation for the country production of good

quality salt, even as the southern part of this coast have been famous for pearl fisheries.

Salt produced in this area has been used human consumption and for industries like food

packing and ice manufacturing. Tamilnadu has neither salt lakes nor salt rocks but only a few

places where salt is available in swamps. The coast however is the main stay for salt

manufacture in Tamilnadu.


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In Tamilnadu, Tuticorin district is the major salt producing center. It contributed more

than 20 per cent of the total production. The second rank goes to Nagapatnam and

Ramanathapuram occupies the third place. Cuddalore gets the last place in manufacturing salt.

Salt produced in Tamilnadu is sold throughout the country and it is exported to foreign

countries also. By road and railways salt is being carried over the entire country. Shipping

services are used to export salt.

As per the Government of Tamilnadu there are around 13581 salt works and most of the

salt workers in Tamilnadu belong to SC/Communities. Around 11000 acres are used for salt

manufacture. This is a scheduled employment under the minimum wages act, 1948 and work is

carried out from the month February to September providing around 200 to 250 days work.

There is a sales tax on the product. No separate welfare fund has been constituted for the salt

pan workers. However, these workers contribute their premium to the Tamilnadu Labour

Welfare Board which is common for all industries.

SALT PRODUCTION IN THOOTHUKUDI

Thoothukudi occupies a very important place in the history of salt industry in India

because of its geographic location and other favorable factors. The coastal belt of the Gulf of

Mannar is in the Rain Shadow region of the South West Monsoon and therefore, spread of

summer rain that prevails over the rest of the country. The north east monsoon is comparatively

week and the average rainfall in Thoothukudi gets an interrupted manufacturing of 8 to 9 months

in a year.

Salt industry is the main backbone of economics development of the district. It Salt

industry is the main backbone of economic development of the district. It is the cluster group of

industry of Thoothukudi district and was extended in an area of 15700 Acres with production of

17.12 Lakhs M.T.


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Thoothukudi district is endowed with a coastal line of about 121 Kms and territorial

waters covering thousands of Hectares. During the survey it is reported that 2208 Units are

engaged in salt production. The total area found viable for salt cultivation is about 40,000 Acres.

Further it is reported from the survey 126 permitted iodised salt plants and 4 refined free

flow iodised manufacturing units are functioning and produce about 70,000 M.T per Annum.

The concentration of salt unit is centered on Tuticorin, Srivaikundam and Tiruchendur Taluks.

Also a considerable number of salt units are clustered in Vilathikulam block. There are about

2000 small scale salt manufactures and traders in Thoothukudi district.

The climate of Thoothukudi district is fairly dry. The temperature moderate near

but uses slightly further in land strong dry waterlines characteristic of the tropics, low humidity.

Hence a large number of private people were engaged in salt manufacturing with their own

lands. The government lands were leased out for 20 years to those people who wanted to

manufacture with their own lands. The government lands were ceased out for 20 years to those

people who wanted to manufacture salt. The government was granting license to such people.

These lands were known as licensed lands.

LIVING AND WORKING CONDITIONS OF SALT PAN WORKERS

The Salt Cess Act does not provide for the terms or protection or the service conditions of

the salt workers. The saltpan workers suffer enormously from the saline environment in which

they live and work in on the Tuticorin District. Many of the villages have no fresh water due to

salt contamination of the local water table. They get occupational illnesses and disabilities such

as sight impairment and blindness caused by the reflected glare of the sun off the salt crystals.

They develop skin ulcers which are very painful and do not heal up quickly. They also suffer

from stomach problems. Their life expectancy is quite low and infant mortality is high. Their

wages are low. The saltpans open for only about eight months of the year. So in the process of

making two ends meet the seasonal workers invariably fall into the hands of the local money

lenders who generally charge interest at the rate of 10 per cent per month.


10

Seasonal workers work during the whole season and perform all kinds of activities on

pan. In the beginning of the season the workers get small amount as wages and wages increase

as the production of the salt increases with temperature. The maximum daily wages reaches up

to ` 156 at the end of the season. The saltpan owners of 10 to 100 acres hire workers through

labour unions gets a commission of one or two rupees per labourer. They supply daily wagers as

well as seasonal workers for different activities. Big private companies employ workers on

salary basis for fetching water with a pump or a bore well, circulation of water in ponds and as

supervisors. The remaining labour is hired in large number from the surrounding villages as

daily wages in Tuticorin District.

There is vast disparity in salt prices and wages. The salt owners sell at ` 450 to ` 500

per metric tons while workers get as low as ` 15 per metric tons. It is also believed that small

plots owners and cooperative societies get lower price of salt as compared to the big owners.

The middlemen play a significant role in this price variation.

The Aghariya who depends exclusively on salt processing live in very poor conditions.

There is a lack of basic amenities like drinking water, shelter, education and facilities like

gumboots, sunglasses, tools and health care. Each worker has to pay for the water at the end of

the year. Children are brought up on salty land with no activities for growth. The seasonal

workers live on the pan itself. Most of them erect huts. They face health hazards like blisters,

burns, cuts, eye burning, falling hair, headaches and many other ailments. Lower legs and feet

develop lesions like ulcers and wart.

Skin problems occur like scaling, atrophic scars keratodermia, callosities, and fissures.

This facilitates enhanced absorption of salt into body, which could be one of the causes of high

blood pressure. They also have to drink saline water most of the time. The incidence of

Vitamin – A deficiency, night blindness, tuberculosis, infant mortality and gynecological

problems are common.

Salt pan workers are living in very poor household income due to seasonal employment,

inadequate skills, inadequate access to state resources (including access to credit),

no representation in decision making groups, Voiceless and somehow bonded working nature


11

and etc. Very poor working condition (no drinking water, no Toilet facility, Norest Shed, No

lights, No proper road, No first aid or health care facility, No child care facility, poor health

seeking behavior, Heal hazards due to excessive heads in saltpan). Poor literacy level -Girl child

school drop outs in 5th to 6th standard is very high among salt workers. Because the women salt

laborers, as they go to saltpans in very early time (2am and 3am) the elder girl child is taking

care of younger children, cooking and household works and as there is a need of change over to a

high school in far place from elementary, cultural associated causes and fear results school

drop outs. No coverage of state safety net and other programs. (No proper execution of law,

No proper information about salt laborers in the state, No priority to the salt workers in the

policies and programs and etc.

An attempt is made in this study to analyse the socio – economic conditions of saltpan

workers in Tuticorin District.

CHAPTERISATION

This study is presented in six chapters.

CHAPTER – I

INTRODUCTION

The first chapter deals with the history and culture of salt, important hints on salt,

methods of manufacturing, uses and sources of salt, salt in global level, salt in India, salt in

Tamilnadu, salt in Tuticorin district and living and working conditions of the saltpan workers.

CHAPTER – II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Second chapter deals with the reviews briefly various studies conducted in the previous

studies and articles.


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CHAPTER – III

OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY

Third chapter deals with the objectives of the study. It also includes the concept,

methodology, scope and limitations of the study.

CHAPTER – IV

PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA

Fourth chapter deals with the profile of the study area.

CHAPTER – V

ANALYSIS OF THE STUDY

Fifth chapter consisted of interpretation and analysis of data collected.

CHAPTER – VI

FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSION

The sixth chapter includes the main findings based on data analysed and interpreted and

also this chapter deals with the summary of the study and conclusions made from the findings.

The researcher gives suggestions as per the findings.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

The researcher brought out the list of all the source of secondary data and of all the books

or journal referred under the review of literature in this section.

APPENDICES

The interview schedule was added in this part of study as appendix.


CHAPTER - II


13

CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

A review of the studies of socio – economic conditions of saltpan workers in the

unorganised sector. The major concentration of these studies is simply on the trends of work

participation of saltpan workers whereas their family life, the working conditions and conditions

of work have been excluded. But he present study intends to explore a wide range of issues

ranging from socio – economic conditions, family life, working relationships, labour legislations

to looking into the terms of employment and living conditions of the saltpan workers of

unorganised sector.

Dr. Gadgil (1965) states that “Basically unorganized labours whether in the rural or urban

areas is conterminous with poverty because whether if the marginal farms or land less labourers

or migrant urban slum worker, they are such involved in a set of survival activities on the margin

of poverty”1

Padmini Sengupter (1985) – studied the women labourers in cashew industry in Cochin

District. The study indicates that the women labourers work 8 hours per day or 48 hours per

week. It has been observed that it harms the health of labours2.

K.P. Kannan (1978) in his study has revealed that the conditions of work prevailing in

most of the factories were horrible. The amuses emitting from the roaster are not chimney out

properly they spread over the entire work area adversely affecting the labourer’s health3.

1 Gadgil D.R. “Women in the working force in India”, Asia Publishing House, Bombay, 1965, p.30

2 Padmini Sengupta, “Women Labours in cashew industries”, 1985, p.32

3 K.P. Kannan, OP. Cit., 1978, p.23


14

Rachel James (1979) conducted a study in Kattanam of Alappuzha District, during 1979

covering 200 labourers. Her study stresses that casual labourers lack not only continuity of

employment but also benefits like health insurance.

M. Suresh Babu (1981) conducted a study in Cochin District in Kerala, in 1981 and

collected data both from primary and secondary sources. The author has come to the conclusion

that in certain factories they begin their work as early as 4 am. They continue to work till 6 pm

or even later. If the labourers are put to such long and continuous work their health will certainly

be affected4.

S.Srinivasan (1975) stated that the unorganized labourers are poverty sticker

because of so many factors such as non-union activities, exploitation of the employers,

inadequate wages etc. The minimum wage fixed by the statics is also insufficient. “The

National Institute of Labour in survey reports state that there are 115 million unorganized

workers that the minimum wages for them fixed by the states range

from ` 8.50 to `12.75 per day which is higher level, works hour to ` 3,600 per annum and

which given the poverty line of ` 6,400 per annum, means that all minimum wages in all states,

except Kerala, force the unorganized workers to live in poverty”5

Socio – Economic condition of women workers in industry’ which was taken up by

Labour Bureau in the year 1975 with a view to collecting data on the socio – economic

conditions of women workers. The scheme was initially confined to the organized segments of

industry, such as mines, plantations and factories covered under the respective acts and the

studies in these sectors were conducted in phases.

Labour Bureau extended the study of socio – economic conditions of the unorganized

industrial segment as well various unorganized industries employing women in large members

4 M. Suresh Babu “Evaluation of unionization and changes in labour processes under forms of capitalistproduction. A study of cashew industry in Kerala”, Working paper 0.128, Centre for Development studies,Trivandrum, May 1981, p.6

5 Srinivasan S “Socio economic conditions of the women workers in India”, 1975, p.21


15

are being covered in phases. In the first phase, the study was conducted in the building and

construction industry of the unorganized sector6

T.R. Ramanujam (1977) – conducted a study in Cavilor District of Kerala, in 1977 and it

covered 300 labourers from 141 units, selected by random sampling method. The study reveals

that the women labours employed in operations like shelling have to sit in particular posture for

long hours at a starch. It needs to be investigated whether this factor has any causal link to

diseases of the uterus7.

Agarwal (1959) in his study on the socio – economic conditions of brick kiln workers in

the Ghazipur village near Lucknow found that this industry employed semi-skilled and unskilled

workers which included moulders, movement or the carriers. These workers were contacted by

the employees for their recruitment. Lower caste Hindus outnumbered the intermediate castes

while the higher castes did not take up this job. The average of the respondents was 16 years

while 43 out of 50 respondents selected for the sample were below 35 years of age. Illiteracy

was common feature among them. 43 respondents were on piece wage basis and 7 were on

monthly basis. Monthly income of these workers ranged from ` 45 to ` 250. Working

conditions were far from satisfactory with insanitary and June and excessive cold in December

and January, lack of lighting and the lone working hours. The one – room houses provided by

the employed were kachcha. Water and lighting facilities were not provided to them.

Conclusively the situation of these workers was very bad8.

Rachel James (1979) – conducted a study in Kattanam of Alappuzha District, during

1979 covering 200 labourers. Her study stresses that casual labourers lack not only continuity of

employment but also benefits like health insurance.

Temperature is an important aspect of working condition. The high temperature

conditions within make physical work unpleasant. Therefore, in all industrial establishments,

6 Report, Enquiries – Indian Labours Journal, Oct. 1989, p.1617 – 1625.

7 T.R. Ramanujam, Op. Lit. 1977, p24

8 Agarwal “Women workers in unorganized sector”, 1959, p.56


16

arrangements should be made to cool down temperature so as to secure labourers, reasonable

conditions of comfort and prevent injury to health9.

Alphonse Miranda and Wdaya Mahadevan (1988) conducted a study on

socio – economic and health conditions of women in Madras and found that more than

50 per cent of the employed women were part – time domestic workers and were employed in

more than two houses. Stomach ailments, menstrual problems, anemia and general weaknesses

were the common problems reported by the women domestic servants.

Labour Bureau extended the study of Punjab and Haryana found out that the workers

employed in the brick kilns were mostly migrant labour brought from areas either within or

outside the state of the kiln. The women constituted nearly 44 per cent of the total work force

working in the kilns and nearly 94 per cent of them worked as helpers to moulder or loaders and

unloaders. Women were not found doing work like earth digging, transportation of mud and

preparation of mud mixture for moulding which were carried and usually the spread over was of

11 to 12 hours a day. It was noticed that almost 98.5 per cent of women workers in this industry

were illiterate. More than half of the children were not attending schools. Not a single male or

female worker was reported to be a member of trade union. No women worker was aware of

beneficial provisions of various labour legislations. Most of these workers were found residing

in temporary hutments which were erected out in and around the kilns with the help of the

material supplied by the employers. The facilities of separate kitchen, bathrooms, crech or

a latrine was non – existent10.

Das Gupta (1977) often rural small scale industry units in China are “under pressure to

expand output without any major increases in employment”11.

9 Rachel James, Casual workers in cashes industry; A people, Interim Report, No.10. Indo – Dutch Kerala ResearchProject, 1979 – p.53

10 Survey Report, Enquiries – Indian Labours Journal, Nov. 1989, p.505 – 565.

11 Das Gupta, “Village Society and Labour Small Scale Industry” – 1977, p.61


17

Ramalingam (2001) in his report on salt production and marketing gives importance to

highlight the existing problems in salt factories at Nagercoil circle. He pinpointed out the

problem of ownership, renewal of license etc. the main findings in the salt factories in the study

area are suffering from high cost of labour competition from Tuticorin salt. The chief source of

brine supply is losing its salinity as it is inundated by fresh water drained from irrigation fields.

Moreover he explained how regular visits to salt works to import instructions on manufacture of

quality salt would help to improve the quality of salt exports12.

Varadharajan (1983) in his report observed that there was decrease in production in

Tuticorin circle in 1983 due to power cut, slump in market and restricted movements of wagons.

The unhealthy competition from non – licensed sector affected the exports. Because of upward

revision of freight charges, there was downfall of demand for salt in the districts of south Bihar.

He suggested that the non – licensed sector should be brought under the control of department13.

Balram (1984) opinions that wide difference prevail in the production and selling prices

of edible salt. The major factors contributing to the cost are labour, freight, packing and high

margin of profit at different levels salt manufactures margin are very low. In addition, he had to

face many difficulties in marketing his product.

Export of salt by India in comparison to its production potential is insignificant.

Attempts have been made to analyse the factors involved in production cost, some measures for

planning and improving marketing. He arrived at the conclusion that the cost of production

ranged from 5 to 10 per cent, Government charges for less than 1 per cent, packing charges 3 to

7 per cent, dispatch charges less than 1 per cent, packing charges 3 to 7 per cent, dispatch

charges less than 1 per cent, freight charges 20 to 40 per cent. These charges varied with

distance. Moreover 2 to 3 per cent is accounted for unloading, loading, transportation charges,

wastages due to handling, storing charges etc., at consumers end. Distribution, publicity and

12 Ramalingam, Report on the first regional conference on salt production and marketing, madras, 3 – 4 January2001,p.6.

13 Varadharajan, The Hindu Survey on Indian Industry, 1983,p.32.


18

processing charges account for about 20 to 30 per cent of the total cost. So, it is clear that a

margin of 30 to 50 per cent of the total receipts are incurred by way of commission, profit etc14.

Bokil et. al. (1985) stated that the production of evaporates like seller’s mixt are mixed

salt from bitterns by solar evaporation is not mixt economical as compared to salt production.

Under such conditions, average cost of production of crude salt, seller’s mixt and mixed

salt works out to be ` 21.99 per ton if the same area is used for salt production. Assuming 30 per

cent return on fixed capital and assuming 10 per cent loss in crude salt by rain washing the

indicated selling price of crude salt, sellers mixt and mixed salt worked out to be

` 28.80, ` 39.20 and ` 42.50 respectively against ` 45.3015.

K. Nagal Mugan and G.A. Kulkarni (2000) in their paper stated that the problem on salt

industry is not quantity of production but the quality of the product, particularly out through

competition is there in Indian Salt market, which can be overcome by keeping the quality both

inside and outside the country.

Transport cost is higher than the salt price in most of the cases. Being a bulk and

cheap commodity, only rail and sea ways are more suitable for transportation rather than road

and airways. The main suggestions are,

Since the licenses are issued only for that manufacturers of salt irrespective of the quality

and wage, it is suggested that the licenses for the manufacturing of salt may be classified into

two viz. 1) Industrial grade 2) Edible grade and separate licenses can issued to the manufacturers

so the industrial salt can be levied.

There is a communication gap between the government department, research institutes,

export agencies, manufacturers and consumers. This can be removed by bringing out a monthly

magazine which will cover all the problems, achievements and advancements in salt industry.

14 Balram, Marketing Aspects of salt, Hindustan Salts Limited, Jaipur, May 11 – 12, 1984, p. 153.

15 K.K. Bokil, M.P. Bhatt and A.T. Hanzhi, Economics of Recovery of evaporates from Bitterns of solar salt works,Central Salt and Marine Chemical Research Institute, Bhavanagar, May 11 -12 1985, p.157.


19

In the present study, the author attempts to study of the existing marketing channels

which have not been studied earlier. An analysis of possible intermediate cost and profit margin

of wholesaler, retailer and village merchants are attempted16.

M. Kamalraj (1991) conducted a study on women salt workers in Kayalpatnam area,

Tuticorin District of Tamilnadu. He revealed the salt industry in this area is labour oriented

industry. He estimated total salt production, various cost heads and revenue. According to him,

about 3000 workers were employed in this industry. Out of them, about 900 were women.

Women participation in the salt work was little. He concluded that, there was a positive

relationship between price indices and wage indices17.

T. Ramaswamy and N.R. Raman (1993) conducted study on “Salt in Coastal Area”.

He studied the changes of salt industry since independence. He revealed the salt production in

different areas. In 1947 the salt production was about 1929.3 thousand tones. It increased to

5328.5 thousand tones in 1977. In 1991 the production was 14250 thousand tones.

He mentioned that the Government of India has established various committees for the

development of salt industry. They advise regarding production, distribution, imports and

exports of salt. He examined that, about 47 per cent of total production used for human

consumption, 45 per cent by industries and five per cent exported. The unsold three per cent

became stock. He suggested that the public must be aware of edible salt18.

K.V. Jeyaraj conducted study a study on “A History of salt monopoly in Madras

presidency (1805 – 1878)”. The study point out that the monopoly system on salt was first

introduced by regulation – 1 of 1805 in the Madras Presidency and continued up to 1878. This

system increased the revenue of the government. The East Indian Company rationalized it into a

16 K. Nagal Mugam and G.A. Kulkarni, Salt – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, Sambur Salts, Rajasthan, 11 – 13 May2000, p111 – 116.

17 M. Kamal raj, “Women Salt Workers in Kayalpatnam area”, Khadi Gramodyog, December 1991, p24 – 26.

18 T. Ramaswamy et. al., “Salt Coastal Sites need attention, Survey on Indian Industry” – The


20

logical chain of government control reading to better salt, which led to more consumption which

in its turn resulted in more revenue. However, it was based on many administrative problems19.

S. Nagarajan (1995) conducted a survey on quality of salt in India. The survey pointed

out that, about two per cent of the salt were produced by the private manufacturer and the rest of

the salt by the public sector, co – operative societies and on licensed private manufacturer.

Due to the rapid industrial development, the demand for salt has increased. He has estimated the

future salt demand also20.

M. Kamalraj (2001) conducted a study on “Salt industry in Tamilnadu, Trends and

Prospects”. The study shows that the production of salt in India increased from 8311.50 thousand

tones in 1988 to 11964.40 thousand tones in 1998. The production of salt in Tamilnadu in 1988

was about 1277 thousand tones in 1997. The average incremental production of salt was

5.23 lakh tonnes. The rising trend in the production was mainly due to the fact that the total area

of salt production has been increased. The uncultivated area was under cultivation increased

year by year21.

19 K.V. Jeyaraj, “A History of Salt monopoly in Madras Presidency (1805 – 1878)”.

20 S. Nagarajan, “Salt: Quality aspect to the force survey on Indian Industry”, The Hindu 1995, p.243.

21 M. Kamalraj “Salt Industry in Tamilnadu, Trends and Prospects”, paper presented in the 84th Annual Conferenceof Indian Economic Association held at Vellore from 28.12.2001 to 30.12.2001.


CHAPTER - III


21

CHAPTER III

OBJECTIVES AND METHODOLOGY

OBJECTIVIES OF THE STUDY

The broad objective of the study is to know the socio – economic conditions of saltpan

workers in Tuticorin District, Tamilnadu. The primary objectives of the study are:

1. To investigate the quality of employment in the salt industry in terms of earnings,

job-security, working hours, etc.

2. To find out the general socio-economic conditions of the saltpan workers.

3. To analyse the Labour Welfare of the saltpan workers.

4. To bring out policy prescriptions to improve the conditions of workers in the salt

industry.

CONCEPTS

A brief discussion of the concepts used in the study is given below:

LABOUR

Labour consists of all human efforts of body or mind which are undertaken in the

expectation of reward. Thus any work done in return for a monetary reward is labour. Thus the

term “labour” consists of the work of an ordinary wage to the work of expert professionals

undertaken for some monetary rewards.

WORKING CONDITIONS


22

It is the situation in which the salt workers are working in the saltpan. It includes nature

of work, working days per week, working hours (per day), lunch bread status of work and

security for job.

LIVING CONDITIONS

The living condition include the age distribution asset holding the burden of debt and the

expenditure on various items like food, clothing etc., including the expenditure on housing.

WAGES

Wages are paid for the services of labour in the process of production and include only

the performance wage. Wages may be paid daily, weekly or monthly. In this study, the term

“wages” is used to refer to weekly wages, irrespective of the mode or time of payment of wages.

HOUSE HOLD

A group of persons normally living together and taking food from the same kitchen

constitute a household. Normally, such resident members exclude guests but include temporary

absentees.

HEALTH

Health is prevention of disease and injury. The health of the industrial labour depends on

many complex factors, such as working conditions, living conditions and diet.

INCOME


23

The word “income” is used to refer to the total amount of money earned or collected

during a given period of time, usually a year. Income includes all income of the households

from all sources computed from the primary data.

WORKMENS COMPENSATION

Workmens compensation, the first form of social insurance to develop widely in the

United States, provides protection for workers who are injured on the job, and for their families

in the event of total injuries.

INDEBTEDNESS

Indebtedness in this study refer to capital expenditure of the family for social function,

investment in profit making ventures and current expenditures made to both ends meet and for

other miscellaneous items like education, and transitory items like unforeseen medical expenses.

CONSUMPTION EXPENDITURE

Consumption represents the total quantity of goods brought and consumed by consumers

during a period that is the expression of total consumption demand. Consumption expenditures

include expenditure on food, clothing, heat and light housing, social and religious functions,

travelling, education, health litigation and other miscellaneous expenditure and also the

expenditure on durable goods.

PIECE WAGES AND TIME WAGES


24

Piece wages are the wages paid on the basis of work done. When the quality of work is

controlled by machine or some other factors or quality is of secondary importance this method of

wage payment can be adopted when a worker produces more or turns more output, he receives

more reward or more income.

OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES

Reduction in the health standards of the workers due to conditions prevailing in the

workplace i.e. temperature, type of work, hours of work etc.,

SALTPAN

The site on which salt water is actually allowed to evaporate.

SALT WORKERS

The salt workers are those who engaged in saltpans and other connected activities for

raising salt on payment of wages.

PRODUCTION

Production is an activity that creates utility or value. It consists annual output of salt per

acre of land.

COST

Total cost is simply the sum of all the costs a firm includes when it produces a particular

level of output. The total cost of producing any particular output is total fixed cost plus the total

variable cost of producing that output.

REVENUE


25

Total revenue is simply a firm’s total earnings from sale. When a firm sells only a single

product at a uniform price, total revenue obtained by multiplying price and quantity sold.

PROFIT

Profit are usually regarded as the difference between a firm’s total revenue and its total

costs.

PRICE

Average revenue is simply total revenue dedicated by quantity sold. When a firm sells a

single product at a uniform market price, average revenue and price will be identical.

Prices are based on direct cost per unit (i.e. average variable cost) plus a Mack – up based

on an assumed level of output to cover overheads and the required profit margin.

BONUS

The additional amount to be paid in wages for increased output on the part of the

workers.

ECONOMIC STUDY

The size of family, caste, income and expenditure pattern, assets and wages are important

indications caused in evaluating the economic study of salt workers.

METHODOLOGY


26

Salt pan labourers constitute the largest chunk of rural work force in Tuticorin District.

Salt pan labourers form the most unorganized and neglected section of the rural society who are

the victims of the low wages, seasonal unemployment, low incomes, poverty and indebtedness.

Their meager incomes hardly permit them to meet both the ends. To ameliorate the conditions of

these vulnerable sections, several developmental programmes have been implemented to relieve

them from the clutches or poverty and indebtedness. Inspire of four decades of planned

development it is still believed that their conditions have not improved. How far it is true?

Hence, in this study an attempt has been made to enquire into the Grassroots Economics. This

micro level study will be highly useful to understand the economic conditions of this major

section in – depth.

SAMPLING DESIGN

Tuticorin District was selected for the present study because, the salt industry are the

major work in this district. The sample households for the study have been selected using

random sampling method.

SAMBLE SIZE

The present study is based on the primary data, collected from the Tuticorin District.

Totally 100 sample workers were collected information through a structured questionnaire

method. In the 100 respondents, 50 were male and 50 were female workers.

STUDY DESIGN

The main focus of the study is to examine the wages, employment, income, expenditure

and indebtedness of the salt pan workers in Tuticorin district so as to ascertain the Grassroots

Economics. The study also makes an attempt to estimate the poverty among the salt pan

labourers households and to identify the factors influencing the employment and wages in the

study area.


27

PERIOD OF STUDY

This study focused on the data collected by sampling survey

pertaining to the year 2010 – 2011.

COLLECTION OF DATA

The survey method was used to collect the required data for the study. The required

information and data were collected on various aspects form the sample respondents through

personal interview with the concerned with the aid of schedules conducting a pilot survey. Due

care was taken to have cross checks in schedules of the level of knowledge of the respondent and

all the precautions were taken to ensure the accuracy and reliability of data. All the schedules

have been scrutinized so ass to appraise the qualitative and quantitative aspects of the data before

each schedule was passed for tabulation.

STATISTICAL TOOLS

The Statistical methods are a mechanical process especially designed to facilitate the

condensation and analysis of quantitative data. The aim of statistical method is to facilitate the

comparative study of the relationship between the two phenomena. There are different types of

statistical tools and techniques for analyzing the collected data. But the present study, the

statistical tools like chi – square test, diagrams and graphs, column chart, cone chart, line chart

were used for the analysis of data.

SCOPE OF THE STUDY


28

In this study the working conditions of salt workers in Tuticorin district, are analysed

with a view to identify the various aspects of their income, expenditure, savings, borrowings,

working days, wages, annual allowance, yearly bonus and welfare measures.

LIMITATIONS

The researcher has collected data of salt workers only in the Tuticorin district and not the

entire state of Tamilnadu. The researcher went to a village for data collection then only found

most of the people are migrated from their village to other villages for jobs. Other people in

higher caste not tell about anything to these people even if they know because they do not want

these people to receive any kind of benefit so researcher found difficult to identify the people.

Then, most of the salt pan workers still now not ready to disclose in front of other. So they

scared to disclose data about their owners. The researcher finished his research work with in a

limited time.


CHAPTER - IV


29

CHAPTER IV

PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA

PROFILE OF THE DISTRICT

LOCATION

The Thoothukudi District is located on the extreme southern parts of Tamilnadu and it

was carved out of Tirunelveli District on 20 October 1986. The district is located between

0.8 and 45 of the northern latitude and 78 and 11 of the eastern longitudes. The district is

roughly triangular in shape and is bounded by Virudunagar and Ramanathapuram districts in the

north, Gulf of Manner in the east and Tirunelveli district in the south and west. The total

geographical area of the district is 4,621 sq.km. Constituting about 3.5 per cent of the state.

It has got a coastal line of 121kms.

“The Government of Tamilnadu in their G.O.Ms.No.535/Revenue Department dated

23-04-1986 has ordered the formations of a new district viz., Thoothukudi District, which is

named after the Freedom Fighter Shri. V.O. Chidambaram Pillai, who was born in this district.

Thoothukudi District was inaugurated on 19-10-1986 by the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu and

started functioning as the 20th district with effect from 20-10-1986 with the Thoothukudi”.

In the story of India’s freedom struggle Thoothukudi District enjoy an unique place., it

was Veerapandia Kattabomman, the Pelingal of panchalankurichi, waged a bitter fight against

East India Company. V.O.Chidambaram Pillai, a man of immense courage plunged himself into

the Swadesi Movement and launched the movement of boycott of the British goods and had the

guts of take in the British when he launched his Swedeshi Stream Company.


30

ECONOMIC STATUS OF THE DISTRICT

The district has more rural population, which accounts for 57.73 per cent to the total

population of the district and it is one of the reason for backwardness. The percentage of the

literates in the district is 72.85. This is more than the state’s average percentage.

Agriculture is the main stay of the district. The cultivators and agricultural labourers both

together accounts for 35.45 per cent of the total work force of the district. Thoothukudi has been

identified as a most ideal place for spices cultivation, particularly chillies, corriander etc. Scope

for industries on spice based products is bright, as these products have both domestic and export

demand.

The district accounts for 11percent of the state total area under Banana cultivation.

Spices are cultivated in a large area and accounts for 28.77 per cent to the state total area of

Spices cultivation. The area under cashew nut based industries, which have good export

demand. The cultivation of horticultural crops, fruits and a vegetable is in upward trend, as the

local farmers show interest, in view of profits.

The district occupies the first place in salt production in the state. There is a good scope

for development for salt based marine chemical industries namely bromine from sea bittern, free

flow iodized salt, sodium chloride (analytical and pharmaceutical), magnesium sulphate.

The large no of existence of Palmyra and coconut trees in the district have bright

prospects for development of industries based on these to improve the rural economy.

The readymade garment industry, which is in tiny sector, is an asset of the district and in

view of continuous demand for domestic and export market, a fashion Technology Institute can

be set up. Lime stone deposits in the district pave way for starting a mini cement plant. Major

portion of production of safety matches comes from handmade sector.


31

POPULATION

The district has an area of 4635 Sq.Km. and the total population of this district as per

2001 census is 15, 65,743. The density of population per Sq.Km. is 315 as against 428 for the

state. The sex ratio is 1049 females for every 100 males, the percentage of literacy is 72 per cent

out of the total population of 15,65,743 in the district 9,03,811 people are live in rural areas.

ADMINISTRATIVE SETUP

The administrative set up of the district consists of 3 Revenue Divisions, 8 Taluk and

12 Blocks.

Further the District has 1 Corporation, 2 Municipalities, 20 Panchayats, and 465 Revenue

villages. The district could be termed as industrially advanced with a majority of the industries

located in and around Thoothukudi.

GEOLOGY

Being a hinder town most of the land has sandy surface. The southern part of the town

has grower soil. A channel is running through the town towards east and has confluence with the

sea.

CLIMATE AND TEMPARATURE

The climate generally hot and dry in the district except in coastal area. The mean

maximum temperature ranges from 29.30C to 41.30C and the mean minimum temperature varies

from 18.50C to 26.70C. The highest temperature was recorded between the months of May and

August and lowest during December and January.


32

COMMUNICATION

The district is provided with 413 post offices, serving 3270 persons per post office.

Average are covered by one post office is 11.22 Sq.Km. They established 6 telegraphic offices

serving an average population of 14522 per office. Each radio set in the district is serving 31

persons.

BANKING INSTITUTIONS

The district was adequate number of bank branches and co – operative credit societies.

There are 17 branches of State bank group, 64 branches of nationalized banks, 28 branches of

regional rural banks, 40 branches of co – operative banks, 28 branches of private sector banks.

The district has 180 branches of public sector, private sector, regional rural and

co – operative banks. Of which, 50 are urban, 60 are semi urban and 70 are rural in nature.

EDUCATIONAL FACILITIES

The district has educational institutions with primary, middle, secondary and higher

secondary schools numbering 1020, 306, 59 and 52 respectively. Technical education is

provided by 4 Industrial Training Institutes, 12 Polytechnic Colleges and 9 Engineering

Colleges. There are 13 Teacher Training Colleges besides 11 Arts and Science Colleges in the

district. Only one Medical College available in this district. Educational facilities are available

in Thoothukudi District from primary to postgraduate level.


33

THOOTHUKUDI PORT

Thoothukudi Port is the 10th major port of the country functioning with nine cargo

berths and three bulk jetties. The port is well sheltered from the fury of storms and cyclonic

winds. It is strategically located very close to the major international sea routes. One of the

main problems with the port is the low depths, international sea routes. One of the main

problems with the port is the low depths, which was recently improved by the dredging project at

a cost of ` 202 crores to cater the needs of vessels having draught up to 10.7 meters. Port has

adequate space and warehouse. Thoothukudi port is the first Indian Port to win the quality

certificated under ISO – 9002.

The Sethu Samudram project is under process which is aimed at deepening the Palk

Straits in the Gulf of Mannar which will help not only the hinterland to flourish with the

activities of trade and industry, but also overall economic development of the southern districts

of Tamil Nadu.

FISHERIES

The district is endowed with a coastal line of 135 Kms and marine production during

1997 – 1998 was over 35,400 tonnes. There is no appreciable increase in marine catch for the

past 5 years. There are 130 vallams, 1448 catamaran and 700 mechanical fishing boats,

27,749 persons are engaged in fishing.

SALT PRODUCTION

Thoothukudi district is one of the main salt production places in the south. There are

about 228 salt producing units in the district and achieved a total production of 17.12 lakh tonnes

of salt during 1999- 2000. More than 100 units are engaged in iodised salt productions.

Four refined free flow iodised salt manufacturing units are also functioning and produces

70,000 MT per annum. Total saltpan extent in the district is 22,949 acres.


34

TABLE 4.1

SALT INDUSTRY IN THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT AT A GLANCE

AREA OF THE STUDY

In the Thoothukudi district 14200 acres of land is used for salt production. The season

for salt in this area middle January to September. Tuticorin salt is not only sold in the local

market but also sold in the neighbor states like Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Orissa and Pondicherry.

Sl.No Details

1 Number of Non Licensed Units 1944

2 Number of Licensed Units 264

3 Licensed Area ( in Acres) 8300

4 Production of salt under licensed sector( in Lakhs tons) 8.42

5 Production of salt under Non Licensed sector ( in Lakhs tons) 870

6 Production of salt in Thoothukudi Circle 17.12

7 No of Laborers employed (Approx.) 5080

8 Total no of units in engaged in salt production 2208

9 Export of salt from Thoothukudi (in 000 tones) 402.20

10 Value (in Rs Lakhs) 3620.50

11 Total Area covered under salt (in acres) Both Licensed and Non

Licensed 15,700


CHAPTER - V



35

CHAPTER V

ANALYSIS OF DATA

INTRODUTION

The researcher shows interpretation through the primary data from the respondents. The

researcher analysis the table and figure based on primary data and find the main findings from

this chapter.

TABLE 5.1

AGE OF THE RESPONDENT

Sl. No. Age of the respondents Percentage

1 Below 35 26

2 35 – 45 37

3 45-55 25

4 55-65 6

5 Above 65 6

Total 100

Source: Field Work, 2011.

Table 5.1 indicates the age of the respondents. 26 per cent belong to the age – group of

below 35 years. 37 per cent belonged to the age group of 35 – 45 years. 25 per cent of the

respondent belongs to the age group of 45 – 55 years. Then, 6 percent of the respondent

belongs to the age group of 55 – 65. Only 6 per cent of the respondents were above 65 years.

The table clearly shows that most of the respondents are adult people. No one is below

the age twenty.


36

FIGURE 5.1

AGE WISE DISTRIBUTION OF WORKERS


37

TABLE 5.2

CASTE OF THE RESPONDENTS

Sl. No. Gender

Caste of the Respondents

TotalOC BC MBC SC

1 Male1 18 3 28 50

2 Female0 21 2 27 50

Total1 39 5 55 100


Caste has been an important determiner of the process of social stratification in our

country. Traditionally, caste and class have been associated with the occupations of the people.

During old days, the Indian society was stratified into four classes, namely, the Pandits,

the Kshatriyas, the Vaishyas and the Shudras. The Pandits were conventionally associated with

the field of education, the Kshatriyas were associated with the defence, the Vaishyas were the

businessmen and the Shudras were for the menial jobs. In the present analysis also, it is

observed that the maximum workforce in the saltpan industry comes from the lower castes of

the society.

Table 5.2 reveals that almost all 99 per cent salt workers working in the sampled salt

industry were from the castes other than the higher castes. As large as 55 per cent salt workers

were of scheduled castes, 5 per cent of most backward castes. 39 per cent of the salt workers

were of backward castes and just one percent of the higher castes. The scheduled castes

consisted mainly of the Sambavar, Pathiyan, Adi Dravide, Ayyanavar, Samban, Vathiriyan and

the Arunthathiyar whereas the Nadar and Yadhava is main backward caste working in large

number in the salt industry of this division. The salt workers from scheduled castes and the

backward castes from major chunk of the labour force in the salt industry.


38

FIGURE 5.2

CASTE OF THE RESPONDENTS


39

TABLE 5.3

EDUCATIONAL STATUS OF THE WORKERS

Sl. No. Educational StatusRespondent Gender

TotalMale Female

1 Illiterate 28 21 49

2 Primary 3 5 8

3 Secondary 19 24 43

Total 50 50 100


Table 5.3 analyse of the level of education of the respondents indicated that

49 per cent of the workers were illiterate. There were just a small proportion of 8 per cent

workers who had acquired primary level education. Further 43 per cent workers studied

secondary level education. In break – up of the educated 21 female respondents are illiterate,

24 female respondents had passed secondary level. A negligibly small proportion of just

5 female respondents had passed primary level education. There was not even a single worker

in this sample who had passed Higher Secondary, Technical Education or Graduation.


40

TABLE 5.4

SIZE OF THE FAMILY

Sl. No. Size of the Family Percentage

1 Below 443

2 4 - 6 38

3 6 - 8 18

4 Above 8 1

Total 100


Table 5.4 data showed those 43 per cent families of the workers in the area of this study

less than four members in their family, whereas 38 per cent families had four to six members.

18 per cent families were very large consisting of six to eight members and one per cent

families had more than eight members. The members in the bigger families comprised of the

parents, brothers and sisters of the husbands of the respondents and their children.


41

TABLE 5.5

TYPE OF HOUSING IN SALT WORKERS

Sl. No. Types of Housing Percentage

1 Hut 46

2 Tiled 33

3 Terraced 8

4 Group House (Govt. Scheme) 13

Total 100


Table 5.5 shows that most of them are living Hut houses. 46 per cent of the salt workers

lived in the Hut houses, 33 per cent of the salt workers lived in tiled houses, only 8 per cent of

the workers lived in terraced houses and 13 per cent of the salt workers lived in the group house

built by the housing board of the Government.

Indira Awas Yojana is a central scheme that allotted 40 per cent of the house for

free marginalized labourers, Schedule Caste / Schedule Tribe and Below Poverty Line rural

people.1

Tamilnadu government has given free houses under the scheme of “Kalinagar Housing

Scheme”. Main objective of the scheme is to abolish the all hut houses in Tamilnadu.

1Tamil Nadu Policy Book 2009 – 2010.


42

TABLE 5.6

FACILITIES IN SALTPAN WORKERS HOUSE

Sl. No. Facilities in House Have Don’t have Total

1 Water Connection 8 92 100

2 Electricity Connection 94 6 100

3 Toilet Facility 76 24 100


Table states that few of them are getting good drinking water connection in house. The

other 92 per cent who are not getting water connection in house in those people are getting

drinking water are from government pipe and wells.

Table indicates that Electricity connection showed most of them using electricity at their

house. 94 per cent of the respondents have electricity at their house. Only 6 per cent do not

have electricity connection at their house. Government has giving free Electricity for the house

for BPL families. Especially all the group house (Samathuvapuram, Indira Awas Youjana,

Tsunami Rehabilitation house) has free electricity facility provided by the government of

Tamilnadu.

Table shows that Toilet facility table shows that 76 per cent of the respondents do not

have toilet facility at their house, this respondents are using open place for toilet.

Only 24 per cent of the respondents have toilet facility at their house.


43

FIGURE 5.3

FACILITIES IN SALTPAN WORKERS HOUSE


44

TABLE 5.7

RESPONDENT HAVING FACILITIES AT THEIR HOME

Sl. No. Facilities at home Percentage

1 Television Only 3

2 Mobile Phone Only 2

3 More than one facilities 95

Total 100


Table 5.7 concluded most of them having Television, LPG (Cooking Gas), Mobile Phone

and Cycle. Out of 100 respondents 3 per cent workers have only Television and 2 per cent of

the workers have only mobile phone. 95 per cent of the respondents have Television, LPG,

Mobile Phone and Cycle.

In Tamilnadu Government gives free Television and LPG for all the BPL

families. These reasons for more number of families in rural areas have Television and LPG

connection.


45

TABLE 5.8

RESPONDENT WORKING EXPERIENCE IN SALT INDUSTRY

Sl. No. Working Experience Percentage

1 Below 5 Years 8

2 5 - 10 8

3 10 - 15 6

4 15 - 20 25

5 20 - 25 31

6 Above 25 Years 22

Total 100


Table 5.8 indicates that 22 per cent of them were working in salt industry for

above 25 years. 31 per cent of the workers experience in salt industry 20 to 25 years. There are

25 per cent of the workers who are working in salt industry from 15 to 20 years. 6 per cent of

the salt workers experience in industry for 10 to 15 years. There are 8 percent of the respondents

who are working in salt industry for 5 to 10 years and below 5 years.


46

TABLE 5.9

OCCUPATIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF WORKERS

Sl.

No.

Types of WorkRespondent Gender

TotalMale Female

1 Loading only 9 23 32

2 Field worker only 22 5 27

3 Packing only 1 4 5

4 Both Loading and Fieldworker

17 18 35

5 Both Loading, Field workerand Crushing

1 0 1

Total 50 50 100


Table 5.9 showed that out of 100 respondents, 50 are male workers and 50 are female

workers. Out of 50 male, 9 are engaged in only loading, 22 are engaged in field workers only,

17 are engaged in both loading and filed workers. Only 1 per cent is packing and both loading,

field worker and crushing. Out of 50 female workers, most of them 23 per cent are engaged in

only loading, very few 5 per cent are engaged in field workers only, 4 per cent of the women

workers are engaged in packing. 18 per cent of female workers are engaged in both loading and

field workers.


47

FIGURE 5.4

OCCUPATIONAL DISTRIBUTION OF WORKERS


48

TABLE 5.10

DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS FAMILY INCOME PER MONTH

Sl. No. Income Group Percentage

1 Below ` 5000 18

2 ` 5001 – ` 7000 38

3 ` 7001 - ` 9000 29

4 Above ` 9000 15

Total 100


Table 5.10 regard to the income of saltpan workers for during season, (normally starting

from March to September) it was found that 18 per cent families were able to earn less than

` 5000 per month. 38 per cent were likely to earn monthly income between ` 5001 to ` 7000

while 29 per cent families earn monthly income between ` 7001 to ` 9000. 15 per cent families

earn more than above ` 9000.


49

FIGURE 5.5

DISTRIBUTIONS OF RESPONDENTS FAMILY INCOME PER MONTH


50

TABLE 5.11

ADDITIONAL INCOME FROM OTHER SOURCE

Sl. No.Additional Income from other

source

Percentage

1 Agricultural Labourer 16

2 Load man 10

3 No additional source of income 74

Total 100


Table 5.11 shows that most of them do not have any additional source of income.

16 per cent of the workers get additional income through Agriculture Labourer is like a

particular place of Arumuganeri and Ganeshnager. 10 per cent of the workers go for load man

for their additional source of income. 74 per cent workers they do not additional source of

income.


51

TABLE 5.12

MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF THE RESPONDENTS

Sl. No. Monthly Expenditure Percentage

1 Below ` 5000 36

2 ` 5001 – ` 7000 45

3 ` 7001 - ` 9000 10

4 Above ` 9000 9

Total 100


Table 5.12 showed that 36 per cent of the respondent monthly expenditure was above

` 5000 per month. 45 per cent of respondent monthly expenditure was ` 5001 to ` 7000 while

10 per cent families monthly expenditure between ` 7001 to ` 9000. 9 per cent of the

respondent monthly expenditure more than above ` 9000.


52

FIGURE 5.6

MONTHLY EXPENDITURE OF THE RESPONDENTS


53

TABLE 5.13

DEBTS OF THE RESPONDENTS

Sl. No. Debts Percentage

1 Having debts 85

2 Not having debts 15

Total 100


Table 5.13 brought out that 85 per cent of the salt workers families have debts whereas

15 per cent salt worker families had no debt on them.

TABLE 5.14

DEBT REPAYING BY THE RESPONDENTS

Sl. No. Repayable the debtsNo. of the

respondentsPercentage

1 Able to repay 17 20

2 Unable to repay 68 80

Total 85 100


Table 5.14 indicated that 20 per cent of the workers able to repay the debts. 80 per cent

of the workers are unable to repay the loan.


54

TABLE 5.15

SOURCE OF THE DEBTS OF THE RESPONDENTS

Sl. No. Source of the debtsNo. of the


1 Saltpan owner 2 2.4

2 Money Lenders 22 25.9

3 Banks 13 15.3

4 Self Help Groups 6 7.1

5 Friends and Relatives 2 2.4

6 More than one sources 40 47.1

Total 85 100


Table 5.15 indicated that 2.4 per cent of the respondent source of debts was Saltpan

owner while 25.9 per cent of the respondent source of the debts was money lenders whereas

15.3 per cent of the respondents source of debts was Banks. There are 7.1 per cent of the

respondents source of debts was Self Help Groups (SHGs). 2.4 per cent of the respondents

source of debts was friends and relatives while 40 per cent of respondents source of debts was

more than one sources like to borrow from Money Lenders, Banks, Saltpan owner

and Self Help Groups.


55

FIGURE 5.7

SOURCE OF THE DEBTS OF THE RESPONDENTS


56

TABLE 5.16

DEBTS RANGE OF THE RESPONDENTS

Sl. No. Debts rangeNo. of the


1 Below ` 10000 18 21.2

2 ` 10001 – ` 20000 9 10.6

3 ` 20001 - ` 30000 15 17.6

4 ` 30001 - ` 40000 9 10.6

5 Above ` 40000 34 40.0

Total 85 100


Table 5.16 revealed that more than 3/4th (85 respondents out of 100 respondents) of the

families of these salt workers were under some debt. 21.2 per cent families had an amount of

debt less than ` 10000. There were around 10.6 per cent families whose debt was between

` 10001 and ` 20000. 17.6 per cent of the families had debt was between ` 20001 and ` 30000.

There were around 10.6 per cent families had an amount of debt was

between ` 30001 and ` 40000. 40 per cent of the families had to pay more than ` 40000.


57

TABLE 5.17

REASON FOR THE DEBTS OF THE RESPONDENTS

Sl. No. Reason for debtsNo. of the


1 Education 2 2.4

2 Medicine 4 4.7

3 Festivals / Rituals 5 5.9

4 Daily needs 18 21.2

5 Both Festivals and Daily needs 24 28.2

6 Both Education and Daily needs 15 17.6

7 Both Education, Medicine andDaily needs

17 20.0

Total 85 100


Table 5.17 indicated that 2.4 per cent of the families reason for debts was Education for

their Children while 4.7 per cent of the families reason for debts was unexpected family medical

need whereas 5.9 per cent of the families reason for debts was village festivals and family

functions and 21.2 per cent of the families reason for debts was daily needs.

Whereas 28.2 per cent of the families borrowed money for both medicine and daily needs while

17.6 per cent of the families reason for debts was both educations for child and daily needs.

20 per cent of the families borrowed money reason for both educations for child, medicine and

daily needs.


58

FIGURE 5.8

REASON FOR THE DEBTS OF THE RESPONDENTS


59

TABLE 5.18

SAVINGS OF THE RESPONDENTS

Sl. No. Savings Percentage

1 Have 61

2 Don’t have 39

Total 100


Table 5.18 regard to most of the salt workers and their families were able to save some

moneys. There were 61 per cent of the workers who replied that they are likely to save some

money whereas 39 per cent of the workers not able to save money.

TABLE 5.19

SAVING INSTITUTIONS OF THE RESPONDENTS

Sl. No. Saving Institutions No. of the respondents Percentage

1 Chit Funds 12 19.7

2 Bank 47 77

3 Post Office 2 3.3

Total 61 100


Table 5.19 indicated that 19.7 per cent of the workers savings money in chit funds while

47 per cent of the workers have savings accounts in banks and they are savings money in banks

and 3.3 per cent of the workers saving money in post office.


60

TABLE 5.20

MONTHLY SAVINGS OF THE RESPONDENTS

Sl. No. Monthly Savings No. of the respondents Percentage

1 Below ` 500 46 75.4

2 ` 501 – ` 1000 9 14.8

3 ` 1001 - ` 1500 2 3.3

4 Above ` 1500 4 6.6

Total 61 100


Table 5.20 indicate that 75.4 per cent of respondents were able to save less than ` 500

whereas 14.8 per cent could save between ` 501 and ` 1000 in one month. There were

just 3.3 per cent respondents were likely to save more than ` 1001 but less than ` 1500.

However, there was 6.6 per cent respondents could save more than ` 1500 in one month.

The salt workers savings are very less and were not sufficient for improving their quality of life.

Whatever little they were able to save was used in their day-to-day expanses during

the off-season.


61

FIGURE5.9

MONTHLY SAVINGS OF THE RESPONDENTS


62

TABLE 5.21

DISTRIBUTIONS OF WORKERS ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN OF

DISEASES

Sl. No. Name of the Disease Percentage

1 Risk of Blindness 19

2 Knee Injury 6

3 Body Aches 24

4 Heat Exhaustion 9

5 Bronchial Diseases 4

6 Skin Lesions 15

7 Women specific diseases 23

Total 100


Table 5.21 gave the idea of occurrence of the diseases of the workers of the sampled

saltpan industry. Surprisingly, a majority of the workers replied that they suffered from one or

the other health problems. The diseases stated by them could be divided under seven broad

heads. 4 per cent salt workers suffered from Bronchial and respiratory diseases like Cough,

Cold, Allergies and Tuberculosis. The reason perhaps could be their continuous exposure to

dust. An overwhelming majority of near 24 per cent complained of having body aches relating

to back, shoulders, hands and joints. The reason of the aches can be related to the bodily

postures and manual work that these workers had to do in these salt industry.

Nearly 19 per cent of these salt workers reported that they suffered from eye problems

to risk of blindness and 9 per cent of the workers suffered from heat exhaustion mean blisters of

the hands and episodic cholera and diahorrea. This two category of diseases may be mainly


63

because of the fact that salt workers in the field had to work during extremes temperatures of the

summer season, especially in the months of April, May, June and July.

A little more than 6 per cent of the workers had knee injuries. There were 15 per cent of

the respondents complained that they had skin diseases during the season because they working

in the salt water.

Another, 23 per cent of the salt workers women suffered from some sort of troubles

relating to uterus, pre-mature delivering or miscarriages. The reason given by them was the

excess manual work and less rest they take while in pregnancy. Here it is worth motioning that

since mode of wage payments is on piece-rate basis, the workers tend to work more to earn more

per-day and as a result of it they get infected with some sort of such health problems

FIGURE5.10

DISTRIBUTIONS OF WORKERS ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN OF

DISEASES


64

TABLE 5.22

FACILITIES IN SALTPAN WORKERS VILLAGE

Sl. No. Facilities in Village Have Don’t have Total

1 Bus Service 79 21 100

2 Primary Health Center 32 68 100

3 Ration Shop 42 48 100


Table 5.22 states that Bus Transport Service in salt workers village. 79 per cent workers

living village connect to bus service in urban area. The other 21 per cent who are not getting

bus service in their village. They are from isolated area those people are using transport in

cycles and bullock carts.

Table indicates that situated Primary Health Center in salt worker village. 32 per cent of

the respondent village has Primary Health Center. 68 per cent workers villages do not have

Primary Health Center.

Table shows that only half of them getting ration service in their living village.

42 per cent of the respondent village has Ration Shop. 48 per cent of the respondent village

not available Ration Shop. This people are getting ration goods from near village or town.


65

FIGURE5.11

FACILITIES IN SALTPAN WORKERS VILLAGE


66

TABLE 5.23

TREATMENT TAKEN BY THE RESPONDENTS

Sl. No. Type of Hospital Percentage

1 Government Hospital 86

2 Private Hospital 5

3 Government and Private Hospital 9

Total 100

Source: Primary Data, 2011

Table 5.23 showed that 86 per cent of the respondent used government hospital for

treatment while 5 per cent of the respondent used only private hospital for treatment whereas 9

per cent of the respondent used both government and private hospital for treatment.

Low economic conditions were one of the major reasons for the salt workers

preference to the government hospital.


67

TABLE 5.24

MEMBERSHIP OF THE VARIOUS GOVERNMENT DEVELOPMENT

SCHEMS FOR RESPONDENS

Sl. No. Government Schemes Member Non - Member Total

1 Self Help Groups 38 62 100

2 Tamilnadu Manual

Workers Social Security

and Welfare Scheme 33 67 100


Table 5.24 it can be concluded that most of them Non – Member in

Self Help Groups (SHGs). 38 per cent of the respondent members are in Self Help Groups.

Another 62 per cent of the respondent was not aware to self help groups this worker are non

member in SHGs. Members of SHGs are getting benefit as loan assistance

with low interest rate.

According to Tamil Nadu Government, there are 42000 Self Help Groups (SHGs)

running successfully and getting loan from bank.2

Table indicates that member status in Tamilnadu manual workers social security and

welfare scheme. 33 per cent of the workers have only Tamilnadu manual workers social

security and welfare scheme card those people are only eligible getting assistance from

government. 67 per cent of the workers do not have Tamilnadu manual workers social security

and welfare scheme card those workers not awareness to membership procedures

2 Tamil Nadu Policy Book 2009 – 2010.


68

TABLE 5.25

RESPONDENTS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM TAMILNADU

MANUAL WORKERS SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME AND WELFARE

Sl. No. Received Assistance No. of the respondents Percentage

1 Assistance for education 4 12.1

2 Assistance for Marriage 2 6.1

3 Not getting assistance 27 81.8

Total 33 100


Table 5.25it can be concluded that most of them not getting Tamilnadu Manual Workers

Social Security Scheme and Welfare assistance. 12.1 per cent of the salt workers got their

assistance for education from the government scheme. 6.1 per cent of the salt workers got their

assistance for marriage through the Tamilnadu manual workers welfare scheme.

Another 81.8 per cent of the workers have membership card but they were not received any

assistance from the board.


69

FIGURE 5.12

RESPONDENTS RECEIVED ASSISTANCE FROM TAMILNADU

MANUAL WORKERS SOCIAL SECURITY SCHEME AND WELFARE


70

TABLE 5.26

INTEREST TO SENDING THEIR CHILDREN WORK FOR

SALT INDUSTRY

Sl. No. Interest to sending their children for salt

industryPercentage

1 Interest 2

2 Not interest 98

Total 100


Table 5.26 concludes that most of them are not interested to send their children for salt

industry work. 2 per cent of the respondents are interested to send their children for work in

salt industry because of they are children are illiterate so only those children continue to salt

industry work. Majority of these 98 per cent respondents replied that are not interested to send

their children for work in salt industry.

Salt workers are noticed that some of who worked either as the loader or the crushing

and field worker suffered from some problems that they said was due to the salt industry work.

The women who worked as moulders complained of pain in the back, shoulders, waist and

joints. The carriers had roughening and blistering of hands and fingers. The field worker

complained about coughing, chest pains and difficult breathing. Salt industries workers are

getting very less wage above all the reasons for not interest to send their generation for salt

industry work.


71

TABLE 5.27

EDUCATION LEVEL OF CHILDREN OF THE RESPONDENTS

Sl. No. Education status of Children Percentage

1 Primary Level 34

2 Secondary Level 19

3 Higher Secondary Level 12

4 Diploma Level 5

5 Graduate Level 3

6 Not Educate 27

Total 100


Table 5.27 it was found that 27 per cent of these workers are those, whose none of the

children went to school, while 73 per cent cases there were one or two of their children who

attended school.

The data revealed that a maximum 27 per cent of children of these workers do not attend

school because of some respondents have children are small age. Among other reasons of

children not going to school, were poverty, lack of jobs after education, seasonal nature of work

of salt industry and unavailability of school in the nearby area. As far as 34 per cent of the

workers children are studying primary level education. 19 per cent of the workers children were

studying or completed secondary level education. 12 per cent of the workers children are

studying higher secondary level education whereas 5 per cent of workers children are studying

diploma technical education. Only 3 per cent of the worker children are completed graduation.


72

FIGURE 5.13

EDUCATION LEVEL OF CHILDREN OF THE RESPONDENTS


CHAPTER - VI


73

CHAPTER VI

FINDINGS, SUGGESTIONS AND CONCLUSIONS

INTRODUCTION

The data that was analysed and interpreted in the previous chapter. It was consolidated

and presented as main findings by the researcher. The chapter also deals with the summary of

the main findings and conclusion drawn from the findings in which researcher as drawn the

suggestions.

FINDINGS

PERSONAL DATA

1. The sampled data on age show that majority 37 per cent of salt workers belong to the age

group falling between 35 years to 45years. Thus, it is clear that workers in the salt

industry come from the more active and productive age groups.

2. The workers from scheduled castes and backward castes are 55 per cent and 39 per cent

respectively. It shows that 99 per cent of the salt workers are from castes other than the

higher castes. It means the scheduled castes and backward castes are the backbone of this

industry.

3. The study showed that 50 per cent of the respondents were male and remaining 50 per

cent of the respondents were female and the respondents.

4. The study showed found that 93 per cent of the respondents belonged to the Hindu

religion and 7 per cent of the respondents belonged to the Christian religion.

5. To study showed that 90 per cent of the respondents were married, 6 per cent of

respondents were unmarried and 4 per cent of the respondents were widow.


74

6. Illiteracy is one of the most distressing features among the marginalized workers of the

salt industry of the study are. More 49 per cent in these salt workers were illiterate.

Only 8 per cent of the respondents had passed primary education while 43 per cent

respondents cleared secondary education.

7. The study revealed that 81 per cent of the respondents belonged to nuclear family.

SOCIO - ECONOMIC CONDITIONS

8. The study revealed that hundred percent of the respondents received their wages on a

weekly basis.

9. The study showed that female respondents received daily wage for ` 146 and male

respondents getting daily wage for ` 146. They are getting low wage on no work a wage

basis.

10. The revealed that hundred present of the respondents income was not able to meet their

basic requirements.

11. It was found that 71 per cent of the respondents living in own house and 29 per cent of

the respondents living in rental house.

12. The study revealed that 46 per cent of the respondent home was hut houses while

33 per cent of the respondents living in tiled house.

13. The study revealed that 92 per cent of the respondents do not have water connection in

their house. They are use street tap as a source of water.

14. The study indicated that 94 per cent of the respondents had electricity facility in their

houses. Tamil Nadu Government has giving free electricity for BPL families.


75

15. The study showed that 76 per cent of the respondents do not have toilet facility at their

house. They are using open place for toilet.

16. It was noted that 43 per cent households had less than four members in the family

whereas 38 per cent households had total members ranging from four to six members.

17. The study showed that 95 per cent of the respondents have Television, LPG, Mobile

Phone and Cycle. In Tamil Nadu Government provides free Television and LPG for all

the BPL families. These reasons for more number of families in rural areas have

Television and LPG. The overall condition of these workers was very poor.

18. The monthly family income of 38 per cent of the families in the salt workers was earn

between ` 5001 to ` 7000 nearly 29 per cent of the families were able to

earn between ` 7001 to ` 9000 in one month. It means the salt industry is one of those

industries in coastal rural areas where the workers are able to earn a very handsome

amount. According to the employers version presented in the preceding sections, the

monthly income of average working family in the salt industry goes beyond

even ` 7000 in one month.

19. The study found 74 per cent workers they do not have any additional source of income

rest of others get small amount of additional income through Agriculture works.

20. The data show that monthly expenditure of 45 per cent families was ranging from

` 5001 to ` 7000 whereas 36 per cent families was less than ` 5000.

21. The study showed that 85 per cent of the salt workers have debts all of them paid interest

for their debts. 68 per cent of the salt workers are unable to repaying their debts.


76

22. The data show that 3/4th of the families 85 respondents of the families of these salt

workers were under some debt. The proportions of families owing more than

` 40000 was 40 per cent while 22 per cent of workers in salt industry

under debt less than ` 10000.

23. It was found that 40 per cent of the respondents borrowed money from various sources in

Money Lenders, Banks, Saltpan owner and Self Help Groups.

24. It was found that 28 per cent of the workers reason for debts was met daily needs and

education expenses for their children.

25. The study showed that 61 per cent of the respondents have a habit to savings.

26. The data on amount of saving of the salt workers revealed that nearly 3/4th (77 per cent)

families were save any money to bank.

27. It was found that 75.4 per cent of the respondents were able to save less than ` 500 for

monthly. The savings of the families of salt workers in the were less and were not

sufficient for improving their quality of life. Whatever little they were able to save was

used in their day-to-day expanses during the off – season.

28. The study found that 79 per cent salt workers living village connect to bus service in

urban area whereas rest of them salt workers village are not get bus service in their

village . They are from isolated area those people are using transport in cycle and

bullock carts.

29. The study shows that only half of them have ration shop in village. 48 per cent of the salt

workers village not available in Ration shop.

30. It was found that 62 per cent of the respondents were not aware to Self Help Groups this

workers are non member in SHGs. 39 per cent of the respondents get loan from SHGs.


77

31. This study revealed that 67 per cent of the workers do not have Tamilnadu manual

workers social security and welfare scheme card those workers not awareness to

membership procedures.

32. The study showed that 33 per cent of the respondent members are Tamilnadu manual

workers social security and welfare scheme. This scheme member are only 6 per cent of

the workers are got assistance for education and marriage from social security scheme.

33. The study revealed that 98 per cent of the respondents are not interested to send their

children for work in salt industry.

34. The study revealed that 74 per cent of the salt worker children are studying in schools

whereas 49 respondents of their children studying in government schools.

35. The study showed that 72 per cent of the salt worker children are studying through

medium instruction is Tamil.

36. The study revealed that 67 per cent of the salt workers are interest to send their children

for higher education.

37. It was found that 34 per cent of the workers children are studying primary level

education whereas 19 per cent of the workers children are completed secondary level

education.

LIVING CONDITIONS

38. The residential facilities of the salt workers in living village are very poor both

qualitatively as well as quantitatively. The space – availability in the houses meant for

their living in extremely inadequate. The available space was used for all purposes like

store, bedroom and sometimes even for kitchen, especially in the rainy season. These

workers are exposed to health hazards like dampness, mosquitoes and at times even


78

snakes. During heavy rains the quarters get submerged in water as they are made usually

in low-lying plane areas.

39. The house of the workers san basic facilities like proper arrangement of drinking water,

electricity, kitchen and bathrooms, etc. Workers had to carry water from well and street

pipes situated usually at faraway places. Electricity was provided for most of their

workers houses.

40. The data revealed that neither there were facilities relating to a canteen, nor these workers

felt any need of it. None of the salt owners had provided safety devices to their workers.

Most the time the workers were exposed to heat and dust.

WORKING CONDITIONS

41. The study revealed that 100 per cent of the respondents met financial expenses on their

own when they met with accident.

42. The study showed that 31 per cent of the respondents experience in salt industry range

between 20 to 25 years.

43. It was found that 35 per cent of the respondents are engaged in both loading and field

works whereas 32 per cent of the respondents are engaged in loadings.

44. The study revealed that 84 per cent of the respondents working eight days in a week.

45. The study revealed that 72 per cent of the salt workers doing work in daily six hours and

24 per cent of the salt workers doing work in daily eight hours.

46. The study indicated that 50 per cent of the respondents going to salt industry by walk and

41 per cent of the respondents using cycle go to the work place.


79

47. The study revealed that 88 per cent of the respondents did not have any labour welfare

facilities in their work place.

48. Surprisingly, even after the Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976, a vast majority

of 80 per cent salt workers taking advance from their employers range

between ` 1000 to ` 5000. Since the advance is illegal under section 2 of the act, it leads

to many unfair labour practices. One important fact which was known in the present

study was that some workers after taking advance and having no intention to pay it back

file litigations in the courts, accusing owners of making them bonded labour.

The decision of the court is usually in the favour of workers as the advance given to these

workers by the owners is not acknowledged legal by the court. This ways these workers

manage to take thousands of rupees of the employers under dubious means, keeping the

owner under a big loss.

49. The study showed that female respondents received daily wage for ` 146 and male

respondents getting daily wage for ` 156. They are getting low wage

on no - work no - wage basis.

50. The study showed that 68 per cent of the salt worker gets Diwali bonus range

between ` 1000 to ` 5000.

51. The study revealed that 47 per cent of the salt workers expected to daily wage for ` 300

and 32 per cent of the salt workers were expected to daily wage for ` 200.

52. The study revealed that 100 per cent of the respondents did not have job security.

53. It was found that 100 per cent of the respondents did not practice safety measures for

reducing risk.

54. The study showed that 100 per cent of the respondent income was not able to meet their

basic requirements.


80

55. The study revealed that 84 per cent of the respondents working eight days in a week.

56. The study showed that 68 per cent of the salt worker gets Diwali bonus range

between ` 1000 to ` 5000.

HEALTH CONDITIONS

57. The study found that 86 per cent of the respondents used government hospital for

treatment.

58. The study revealed that 74 per cent of the respondents rarely took treatment.

59. The study indicated that 68 per cent of the salt workers villages do not have Primary

Health Center.

60. The study showed that 76 per cent of the salt workers families used government hospital

for treatment in pregnant.

61. There are no scientific evidences to support that salt workers in field contract any

occupational diseases but there is always a possibility of getting a disease due to

continuous working of saltpan industry to heat and unhygienic living conditions. Form

the data, it was found that the majority 24 per cent of salt workers in this industry

suffered from body aches, 23 per cent of the salt workers women suffered from some sort

of troubles relating to uterus, pre-mature delivering or miscarriages.

62. Most of the diseases of the salt industry workers appeared to be related to the

environmental and living factors of these workers and therefore these diseases can

possibly be presented by improving their living and working conditions.


81

SUGGESTIONS

To improve the condition and standard of living of the salt workers the researcher

provides the following suggestions:

1. These are a number of labour legislations enacted in independent India to regularize and

regulate the employment procedures, wage rates, payment of wages as well as to provide

various facilities such as accommodation, drinking water, medical assistance, canteen,

leaves, holidays, compensation, etc. for the workers in unorganized sector as well as the

organized sector. But unfortunately these acts have not unorganized sector, making the

life of its workers extremely sub-human.

2. There should be a mutual, friendly and cordial relationship between the owners and the

salt workers.

3. The salt workers must be provided with the necessary equipments to work inside the

saltpan like footwear etc.

4. The wages provided to the salt workers must be raised at ` 300 for per day.

5. The owner of the saltpan must provide several credit facilities to the workers to construct

their own house and to minimize private borrowings.

6. Most of the workers are residing far away from the salt industry. Hence transport fare

must be provided by the saltpan owner.

7. The NGOs should educate the workers about legal aids and provisions available in the

constitution, so that the workers can claim the rights. If they met with accidents

compensation and other helps could be provided.


82

8. The owner must take interest and should organize periodical medical campaign for their

workers which ensure a good relationship between the employer and employee.

9. Present study proposes for a manual salt industry to be made by the concerned state

government. This manual shall act as a comprehensive legislation to regulate the

working and living conditions of the workers of saltpan industry.

10. Government should constitute a tripartite committee every year at the state level to decide

about the rates of wages, the bonus and the incentives for these workers. Efforts should

also be made by the enforcement machinery to effectively implement the

recommendations of this committee. Role of trade unions and NGOs in this connection

is recommended.

11. Under the supervision of the state level tripartite committee, a Common Welfare Fund

can be constituted with the help of the contributions from the workers, employers and the

government. The fund can be used for the pension, health insurance and other facilities

like loans etc. but this initiative cannot be successful unless the workers of this industry

are regularised or given some service cards.

12. The state government should also make provisions to compensate these workers against

natural disasters like heavy rains, floods, cyclone and fires, etc.

13. Several recreational facilities and get-together must be developed inside the industry to

motivate the workers towards work.

14. Government should provide some subsidies or alternative work for the salt workers in the

off-season period.

15. A considerable amount from their income must be taken as savings and be provided to

them in their old age.


83

16. Job security must be provided to the workers of the salt industry for efficient working,

hence there is no job security for the workers in Tuticorin district.

17. The welfare measures such a good drinking water, latrines and urinals, first aid box,

canteen, rest rooms must be provided to the workers.

18. Holidays must be provided to the workers without the loss of pay in case of sickness and

any important personal work.

19. Group insurance scheme should be introduced to the saltpan workers and the employer

should pay the premium.

20. Voluntary organizations (NGOs) and trade unions can work towards making

improvements in their health status, educational attainments and general welfare.

Following areas particularly can be intervened by these groups:

a. To organize awareness programmes regarding their legal rights, health, nutrition

and sanitation.

b. To make arrangement for doctors to organize health camps or free medical

checkups.

c. To make provisions of schools/tutors for the children of these workers.

d. To provide follow-up services during the off-season period.

21. Last but not the least, the government should give considerable attention to the salt

industry and the problems of its workers and employers as the industry provides

an earrings foreign exchange, salt for the all families in the country.


84

CONCLUSIONS

Salt industry is labour intensive sector in Tuticorin district. It provides employment for

the coastal rural area people. However, the working conditions of the salt worker in this are not

by far. This is caused by the wage is not equal to the working hours. The job security is

paramount important motivational measure but in this area there is no job security to the salt

workers. It should be taken into account by the labour welfare department. Other welfare

measures are also not sufficient to the workers expectation. Therefore the conditions of the salt

worker in the Tuticorin district are poor. It is high time for the government to address the

grievances o the salt workers in the Tuticorin district which will in turn help them to elevate

themselves from the present dismal state of affairs.


SUMMARY


85

SUMMARY

The Study on the Socio – Economic conditions of Saltpan Workers in Tuticorin District,

researcher took hundred workers for the data collection and respondents were work in different

blocks in Tuticorin District. The researcher chooses Descriptive design and Simple random

sampling method for the purpose of the study.

The specific objectives was, to investigate the quality of employment in the salt industry,

terms of earnings, job – security, working hours, health condition, social - economic condition

and problems faced by the salt workers in their work place.

The researcher used Questionnaire to elicit the information from the respondents, the

study revealed that most of the respondents belong to marginalized sector of the society. The

unemployment and illiteracy prompted there people to work in salt industry.

The study indicated that at present they faced lot of health related problems due to their

heavy work, like chest pain, injuries and respiratory problems.



APPENDICES


xiii

APPENDIX - II

QUESTIONNARIE

MADRAS CHRISTIAN COLLEGETAMBARAM

“A STUDY ON SOCIO - ECONOMIC STATUS OF SALT WORKERS INTUTICORIN TALUK”

QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Name :

2. Age :

3. Gender : (1) Male (2) Female

4. Religion : (1) Hindu (2) Christian (3) Muslim (4) Others

5. Caste : (1) OC (2) BC (3) MBC / DNC (4) SC (5) ST

6. Marital Status : (1) Unmarried (2) Married (3) Widow

7. Type of Family : (1) Joint Family (2) Nuclear Family

8. Educational Status : (1) Literate (2) Illiterate

9. Educational Qualification : (1) Primary (2) Secondary (3) Higher Secondary

(4) Diploma / ITI (5) Graduate



xiv

10. Family Details:Sl

.No.

Name of the Family

Members

Age

Gen

der

Relationship

Mar

ried

/

Unm

arri

ed Educational

Qualifications

Occupation Monthly

Income

11. Where do you live in?

(1) Own House (2) Rental House

12. What type of house?

(1) Hut (2) Tiled (3) Thatched (4) Group House (Govt. Scheme)

13. Do you have Toilet facility in your house? (1) Yes (2) No

14. Do you have Water Connection in your house? (1) Yes (2) No

15. Do you have Electricity Connection in your house? (1) Yes (2) No

16. What are facilities do you have?

(1) Television (2) LPG (3) Mobile Phone (4) Cycle

(5) Motor Cycle (6) Others

17. How long you have been working in Salt Industry?

(1) Below 5 Years (2) 5 – 10 Years (3) 10 – 15 Years (4) 15 – 20 Years

(5) 20 – 25 Years (6) 25 – 30 Years (4) Above 30 Years


xv

18. What is the Nature of work?

(1) Load man (2) Field worker (3) Cushing (4) Packing

19. Number of working hours per day?

(1) 4 hours (2) 6 hours (3) 8 hours (4) 10 hours

20. How far is the salt industry from your house?

(1) Near (2) 1 Km (3) 2 Km (4) 4 Km

21. If industry is for away from your home, what is mode of travel?

(1) By Walk (2) By Cycle (3) By Auto Rickshaw

22. What kind of Welfare measures provided by your employer?

(1) Drinking Water (2) Toilets (3) Rest sheds

(4) Accident rescue measure (5) Medical facility (6) Transport

23. How much did you get advance from the owner?

(1) ` 1000 - ` 5000 (2) ` 5001 - ` 10000 (3) ` 10001 - ` 15000 (4) > ` 15001

24. What is your Wage per day? `……….....

25. Are you satisfied with prevailing wage rate? (1) Yes (2) No

26. If No, what is your expected wage? `……….....

27. How many working days in a week?

(1) 5 Days (2) 6 Days (3) 7 Days

28. What is your method of payment?

(1) Daily (2) Weekly (3) Monthly

29. How much did you get bonus for Diwali?

(1) Up to ` 1000 (2) ` 1001 - ` 1500 (3) ` 1501 - ` 2000 (4) ` 2001 - ` 2500


xvi

30. Whether you are receiving any additional income? (1) Yes (2) No

31. If yes, specify the source of income? ………………………………….

32. Pattern of Expenditure

Sl. No. Expenditure details Monthly Expenditure (in `)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Food

House Rent / Maintenance

Education

Health

Electricity

Entertainment

Others …………………………….

33. Do you have any debts? (1) Yes (2) No

34. If yes, where did you borrow?

(1) Salt pan Owner (2) Money Lenders (3) Banks (4) SHGs

(5) Co – Operative Society (6) Relatives (7) Other……………….

35. How much debt you owe to others?

(1) Up to ` 10000 (2) ` 10001 - ` 20000 (3) ` 20001 - ` 30000 (4) Above ` 30001

36. For what reasons have you borrowed money?

(1) Education (2) Medicine (3) Festivals / Rituals

(4) Daily needs (5) Others……………………..

37. Would be able to repay the loan? (1) Yes (2) N0


xvii

38. Do you have any savings? (1) Yes (2) No

39. If yes, how much amount do you save per month?

(1) Up to ` 100 (2) ` 101 - ` 200 (3) ` 201 - ` 300 (4) ` 301 - ` 400 (5) > ` 400

40. Where do you have account?

(1) Chit funds (2) Banks (3) Post Office (4) Other

41. What are the diseases caused by your work?

(1) Risks of blindness (2) Blood pressure (3) skin lesions

(4) Knee injury (5) Back pain and exhaustion (6) Stomach ache

(7) Tuberculosis and chronic cough (8) Others

42. Is there any Bus Connectivity to Urban area? (1) Yes (2) No

43. Is there any Primary Health Care Center in your village? (1) Yes (2) No

44. Where will you go for a treatment?

(1) Government Hospital (2) Private Hospital (3) Rural Medicine (4) Other

45. From where will the pregnant women get treatment? ……………………………….

46. Are the children getting proper vaccination? (1) Yes (2) No

47. Do the pregnant women or children are benefited by the nutritious food scheme provided

by the government? (1) Yes (2) No

48. Whether you are a member of Self Help Groups? (1) Yes (2) No

49. If yes, what is the benefit that you are receiving from SHGs?

(1) Loans (2) Part time employment (3) Profits / Dividends (4) Other

50. Whether you are a member of Tamil Nadu Manual Workers Social Security and Welfare

Scheme? (1) Yes (2) No


xviii

51. If yes, what kind of benefit you is receiving from Tamil Nadu Manual Workers Social

Security and Welfare Scheme?

(1) Assistance for education (2) Assistance for marriage

(3) Assistance for delivery (4) Pension (5) Compensation of Accident

(6) Natural death assistance (7) Others

52. Whether you are aware of the Rights of the Salt pan Workers? (1) Yes (2) No

53. Whether you are aware of the Government Welfare Scheme? (1) Yes (2) No

54. Do you like your children to continue their in salt pan work? (1) Yes (2) No

a. If yes, state the Reasons? ………………………………………...

b. If No, State the Reasons? …………………………………………

55. Do your children get access to education? (1) Yes (2) No

a. If yes, which institution?

(1) Government (2) Government aided (3) Private

56. What is the medium of instruction? (1) Tamil (2) English

57. How far is the distance between the school and the house? ……………………………

58. How do your children go to school? (1) By foot (2) By riding cycle (3) By Bus

59. Do your children are getting any kind of scholarship?

a. If yes, What kind of Scholarship? ……………………………

60. Do your children have a passion for studying?

a. If yes, what motivates him to study? ……………………………………..

b. If No, what is the reason behind it? ……………………………………


xix

61. Are you interested to send your children for higher education? (1) Yes (2) No

a. If No, give the reason ……………………………………………..

b. If Yes, What kind of Higher Education?

(1) Diploma (2) Degree (3) Professional Courses (4) Others

62. Give your suggestion, which will improve your standard of living?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………....

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

Date:

Place:Signature


xiii

APPENDIX - II

QUESTIONNARIE

MADRAS CHRISTIAN COLLEGETAMBARAM

“A STUDY ON SOCIO - ECONOMIC STATUS OF SALT WORKERS INTUTICORIN TALUK”

QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Name :

2. Age :

3. Gender : (1) Male (2) Female

4. Religion : (1) Hindu (2) Christian (3) Muslim (4) Others

5. Caste : (1) OC (2) BC (3) MBC / DNC (4) SC (5) ST

6. Marital Status : (1) Unmarried (2) Married (3) Widow

7. Type of Family : (1) Joint Family (2) Nuclear Family

8. Educational Status : (1) Literate (2) Illiterate

9. Educational Qualification : (1) Primary (2) Secondary (3) Higher Secondary

(4) Diploma / ITI (5) Graduate



xiv

10. Family Details:Sl

.No.

Name of the Family

Members

Age

Gen

der

Relationship

Mar

ried

/

Unm

arri

ed Educational

Qualifications

Occupation Monthly

Income

11. Where do you live in?

(1) Own House (2) Rental House

12. What type of house?

(1) Hut (2) Tiled (3) Thatched (4) Group House (Govt. Scheme)

13. Do you have Toilet facility in your house? (1) Yes (2) No

14. Do you have Water Connection in your house? (1) Yes (2) No

15. Do you have Electricity Connection in your house? (1) Yes (2) No

16. What are facilities do you have?

(1) Television (2) LPG (3) Mobile Phone (4) Cycle

(5) Motor Cycle (6) Others

17. How long you have been working in Salt Industry?

(1) Below 5 Years (2) 5 – 10 Years (3) 10 – 15 Years (4) 15 – 20 Years

(5) 20 – 25 Years (6) 25 – 30 Years (4) Above 30 Years


xv

18. What is the Nature of work?

(1) Load man (2) Field worker (3) Cushing (4) Packing

19. Number of working hours per day?

(1) 4 hours (2) 6 hours (3) 8 hours (4) 10 hours

20. How far is the salt industry from your house?

(1) Near (2) 1 Km (3) 2 Km (4) 4 Km

21. If industry is for away from your home, what is mode of travel?

(1) By Walk (2) By Cycle (3) By Auto Rickshaw

22. What kind of Welfare measures provided by your employer?

(1) Drinking Water (2) Toilets (3) Rest sheds

(4) Accident rescue measure (5) Medical facility (6) Transport

23. How much did you get advance from the owner?

(1) ` 1000 - ` 5000 (2) ` 5001 - ` 10000 (3) ` 10001 - ` 15000 (4) > ` 15001

24. What is your Wage per day? `……….....

25. Are you satisfied with prevailing wage rate? (1) Yes (2) No

26. If No, what is your expected wage? `……….....

27. How many working days in a week?

(1) 5 Days (2) 6 Days (3) 7 Days

28. What is your method of payment?

(1) Daily (2) Weekly (3) Monthly

29. How much did you get bonus for Diwali?

(1) Up to ` 1000 (2) ` 1001 - ` 1500 (3) ` 1501 - ` 2000 (4) ` 2001 - ` 2500


xvi

30. Whether you are receiving any additional income? (1) Yes (2) No

31. If yes, specify the source of income? ………………………………….

32. Pattern of Expenditure

Sl. No. Expenditure details Monthly Expenditure (in `)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Food

House Rent / Maintenance

Education

Health

Electricity

Entertainment

Others …………………………….

33. Do you have any debts? (1) Yes (2) No

34. If yes, where did you borrow?

(1) Salt pan Owner (2) Money Lenders (3) Banks (4) SHGs

(5) Co – Operative Society (6) Relatives (7) Other……………….

35. How much debt you owe to others?

(1) Up to ` 10000 (2) ` 10001 - ` 20000 (3) ` 20001 - ` 30000 (4) Above ` 30001

36. For what reasons have you borrowed money?

(1) Education (2) Medicine (3) Festivals / Rituals

(4) Daily needs (5) Others……………………..

37. Would be able to repay the loan? (1) Yes (2) N0


xvii

38. Do you have any savings? (1) Yes (2) No

39. If yes, how much amount do you save per month?

(1) Up to ` 100 (2) ` 101 - ` 200 (3) ` 201 - ` 300 (4) ` 301 - ` 400 (5) > ` 400

40. Where do you have account?

(1) Chit funds (2) Banks (3) Post Office (4) Other

41. What are the diseases caused by your work?

(1) Risks of blindness (2) Blood pressure (3) skin lesions

(4) Knee injury (5) Back pain and exhaustion (6) Stomach ache

(7) Tuberculosis and chronic cough (8) Others

42. Is there any Bus Connectivity to Urban area? (1) Yes (2) No

43. Is there any Primary Health Care Center in your village? (1) Yes (2) No

44. Where will you go for a treatment?

(1) Government Hospital (2) Private Hospital (3) Rural Medicine (4) Other

45. From where will the pregnant women get treatment? ……………………………….

46. Are the children getting proper vaccination? (1) Yes (2) No

47. Do the pregnant women or children are benefited by the nutritious food scheme provided

by the government? (1) Yes (2) No

48. Whether you are a member of Self Help Groups? (1) Yes (2) No

49. If yes, what is the benefit that you are receiving from SHGs?

(1) Loans (2) Part time employment (3) Profits / Dividends (4) Other

50. Whether you are a member of Tamil Nadu Manual Workers Social Security and Welfare

Scheme? (1) Yes (2) No


xviii

51. If yes, what kind of benefit you is receiving from Tamil Nadu Manual Workers Social

Security and Welfare Scheme?

(1) Assistance for education (2) Assistance for marriage

(3) Assistance for delivery (4) Pension (5) Compensation of Accident

(6) Natural death assistance (7) Others

52. Whether you are aware of the Rights of the Salt pan Workers? (1) Yes (2) No

53. Whether you are aware of the Government Welfare Scheme? (1) Yes (2) No

54. Do you like your children to continue their in salt pan work? (1) Yes (2) No

a. If yes, state the Reasons? ………………………………………...

b. If No, State the Reasons? …………………………………………

55. Do your children get access to education? (1) Yes (2) No

a. If yes, which institution?

(1) Government (2) Government aided (3) Private

56. What is the medium of instruction? (1) Tamil (2) English

57. How far is the distance between the school and the house? ……………………………

58. How do your children go to school? (1) By foot (2) By riding cycle (3) By Bus

59. Do your children are getting any kind of scholarship?

a. If yes, What kind of Scholarship? ……………………………

60. Do your children have a passion for studying?

a. If yes, what motivates him to study? ……………………………………..

b. If No, what is the reason behind it? ……………………………………


xix

61. Are you interested to send your children for higher education? (1) Yes (2) No

a. If No, give the reason ……………………………………………..

b. If Yes, What kind of Higher Education?

(1) Diploma (2) Degree (3) Professional Courses (4) Others

62. Give your suggestion, which will improve your standard of living?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

……………………………………………………………………………………………....

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

................................................................................................................................................

Date:

Place:Signature


xx

APPENDIX - II

TAMIL QUESTIONNARIE

nrd;idf; fpwpj;jtf; fy;Y}hp (jd;dhl;rp)

jhk;guk;> nrd;id – 600 059.

“J}j;Jf;Fb khtl;lj;jpy; cg;gsj; njhopyhsh;fspd; r%f nghUshjhu

epiy - xh; fs Ma;T”

tpdhg;gl;bay;

1. ngah; :

2. taJ :

3. ghypdk; : (1) Mz; (2) ngz;

4. kjk; : (1) ,e;J (2) fpwpj;Jth; (3) ,Ryhkpah; (4) gpw

5. ,dk; : (1) OC (2) BC (3) MBC / DNC (4) SC (5) ST

6. jpUkzepiy : (1) jpUkzkhfjth;(2) jpUkzkhdth; (3) ifk;ngz;

7. FLk;gk; : (1) $l;Lf; FLk;gk; (2)jdpf; FLk;gk;

8. fy;tp epiy : (1) fw;wth; (2) fy;yhjth;

9. fy;tpj; jFjp : (1) njhlf;fepiyf; fy;tp (2) ,ilepiyf; fy;tp

(3) (3) Nky;epiyf; fy;tp (4) gl;lak; (5) gl;lk;

nngghhUUssppaayy;; JJiiww


xxi

10. FLk;g tpguk;:

t.vz;

FLk;g cWg;gpdh;fs; taJ

ghy

pdk; cwT

Kiw

kzepiy

fy;tpj;jFjp njhopy;

khj

tUkhdk;

11. ve;j tPl;by; FbaPUf;fpwph;fs;?

(1) nrhe;j tPL (2) thlif tPL

12. vt;tifahd FbapUg;gpy; trpf;fpwph;fs;?

(1) Fbir tPL (2) Xl;L tPL (3) khb tPL (4) muR jpl;lf; FbapUg;G

13. cq;fs; tPl;by; foptiw trjp cs;sjh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

14. cq;fs; tPl;by; FbePh; ,izg;G trjp cs;sjh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

15. cq;fs; tPl;by; kpd;rhu ,izg;G trjp cs;sjh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

16. fPo;fz;l trjpfspy; vd;d tifahd trjpfs; cq;fs; tPl;by; cs;sJ?

(1) njhiyf;fhl;rp (2) vhpthA (3) ifalf;fg; Ngrp

(4) kpjptz;b (5) Nkhl;lhh; tz;b (6) gpw

17. vj;jid tUlkhf cg;gsj; njhopypy; nra;J tUfpwph;fs;?


xxii

(1) 5 tUlj;jpw;Fs; (2) 5 – 10 Mz;Lfs; (3) 10 – 15 Mz;Lfs;

(4) 15 – 20 Mz;Lfs; (5) 20 – 25 Mz;Lfs; (6) 30 Mz;Lf;F Nky;

18. ve;j tpjkhd Ntiy cg;gsj;jpy; nra;fpwph;fs;?

(1) cg;G ms;Sjy; (2) cg;G ,Oj;jy; (3) jskpLjy; (4) Ngf;fpq;

19. vt;tsT Neuk; cg;gsj;jpy; gzpGhpfpwph;fs;? ____________________

20. cq;fs; tPl;by; ,Ue;J cg;gsk; vt;tsT njhiytpy; cs;sJ? ___________

21. tPl;by; ,Ue;J cg;gsk; njhiytpy; ,Ue;jhy;> vt;tifahz gazj;jpy;

cg;gsj;jpw;F nry;tPh;fs;?

(1) eil gazk; (2) kpjptz;b gazk; (3) Nkhl;lhh; thfdgazk;

22. cg;gsj;jpy; njhopyhsh; eyk; rhh;e;j vt;tifahd trjpfis cg;gs

Kjyhspfs; nra;Js;sdh;?

(1) Fb ePh; (2) foptiw (3) xa;tiw (4) KjYjtp

(5) kUj;Jt trjp (6) Nghf;Ftuj;J trjp

23. cg;gsj;jpy; gzpGhpa vt;tsT njifia Kz;gzkhf ngw;wPh;fs;?

(1) ` 1000 - ` 5000 (2) ` 5001 - ` 10000 (3) ` 10001 - ` 15000 (4) > ` 15001

24. xh; ehisf;F cq;fsJ $yp vt;tsT? `_____________________

25. $yp tfpjk; cq;fSf;F NghJkhdjhf cs;sjh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

26. ,y;iy vdpy;> ePq;fs; vjph;ghh;f;Fk; $yp vt;tsT? `_____________________


xxiii

27. thuj;jpy; vj;jid ehl;fs; Ntiy nra;fpwph;fs;? _________________

28. ve;j fhyKiwapy; Cjpak; thq;Ffpd;wPh;fs; ? (1) thuk; (2) khjk;

29. jPghtsp Cf;fj;njhif vt;tsT ngWfpwph;fs;?

(1) ` 1000 (2) ` 1001 - ` 1500 (3) ` 1501 - ` 2000 (4) ` 2001 - ` 2500

30. cg;gsj; njhopiyj; jtpu NtW njhopy;fspd; %yk; tUkhdk; fpilf;fpwjh?

(1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

31. Mk; vdpy;> mj;njhopypidf; Fwp;g;gpLf? ________________________________

32. nryT tpguk; (khjj;jpw;F)

t.vz; nryT tpguk; khjr; nryT (&ghapy;)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

czT

tPl;L thlif / guhkhpg;G nryT

fy;tp

kUj;Jtk;

kpd;rhuk;

flDf;F jpUg;gp nrYj;Jk; njhif

nghOJNghf;F

gpw ……………..…………

33. cq;fSf;F fld; cs;sjh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

34. Mk; vdpy;> vq;fpUe;J fld; thq;fpdph;fs;?

(1) cg;gs Kjyhsp (2) rpl;il tl;bahs; (3) tq;fp

(4) Racjtp FO (5) $l;LwT rq;fk; (6) cwtpdh;fs; (7) gpw

35. vt;tsT njhifia fldhf ngw;Ws;sPh;fs;? ` _____________


xxiv

36. vd;d fhuzj;jpw;fhf fld; thq;Ffpdph;fs;?

(1) fy;tp (2) kUj;Jtk; (3) gz;bif / FLk;gtpohf;fs;

(4) md;whlr; nrytpw;fhf (5) gpw _________________

37. cq;fshy; flid jpUk;g nrYj;j Kbfpwjh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

(m) ,y;iy vdpy;> vd;df; fhuzk;? ________________________________

38. cq;fSf;F Nrkpg;Gf; fzf;F cs;sjh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

39. Mk; vdpy;> Nrkpg;Gf; fzf;F vq;F itj;Js;sPh;fs;?

(1) rPl;Lf;fhuh; (2) tq;fp (3) jghy; epiyak; (4) gpw

40. khjk; vt;tsT njhifia Nrkpg;G nra;fpwph;fs;? `______________

41. cg;gsj; njhopypy; vt;tifahd Neha;fis vjph; nfhs;fpwph;fs;?

(1) fz;ghh;it vhpr;ry; / FiwT (2) ,uj;j mOj;jk; (3)Njhy; tpahjp

(4) ghjg; Gz;fs; (5) mjpf cly; typ (6) tapW typ / Nghf;F (7)

fhr Neha; / njhlh; ,Uky; (8) gpw

42. cq;fs; CUf;F NgUe;J trjp cs;sjh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

43. cq;fs; Chpy; muR Muk;g Rfhjhu epiyak; cs;sjh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

44. ve;j kUj;Jtkidapy; rpfpr;ir ngWfpd;wph;fs;?

(1) muR (2) jdpahh; (3) ifkUj;Jtk; (4) gpw

45. NgWfhyj;jpw;F vq;F rpfpr;ir ngWfpd;wph;fs;? _________________________

46. gr;rpsk; Foe;ijfSf;F Njitahd vy;yh Neha; vjph;g;G rf;jp jLg;g+rpfSk;

Nghlg;gl;Ls;sjh? ___________________________________________________

47. fh;g;gpzpfs; / gr;rpsk; Foe;ijfSf;F Njitahd murpd; Cl;lr;rj;J czT

fpilf;fpwjh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy


xxv

48. Ra cjtpf; FOtpy; cWg;gpduhf cs;sph;fsh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

(m) Mk; vdpy;> Ra cjtpf; FOtpd; %yk; vd;d tifahd gad;fs;

ngw;Ws;sPh;fs;?

(1) fld; (2) gFjpNeu Ntiy (3) tUkhdk; (4) gpw

49. jkpof murpd; cly; ciog;G njhopyhsh; r%f ghJfhg;G kw;Wk; eyj;

jpl;lj;jpy; cWg;gpduhf cs;sPh;fsh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

50. Mk; vdpy;> mj;jpl;j;jpd; %yk; vt;tifahd gad;fis ngw;Ws;sPh;fs;?

(1) fy;tp cjtpj;njhif (2) jpUkz cjtpj;njhif

(3) NgWfhy cjtpj;njhif (4) xa;Tjpak; (5) tpgj;J ,og;gPl;Lj;njhif

(6) ,aw;if kuz ,Wjpr;rlq;F nryT (7) gpw ______________

51. cq;fSf;F cg;gsj; njhopyhsh;fspd; flik kw;Wk; chpikfisg; gw;wpj;

njhpAkh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

52. murpd; kf;fs; eyj;jpl;lq;fis gw;wp mwpe;Js;sph;fsh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

53. cq;fs; kfd;/kfs; ,j;njhopYf;F tUtij tpUk;Gfpwph;fsh?

(1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

(m) Mk; vdpy;> vd;df; fhuzk;? ____________________________________

(M) ,y;iy vdpy;> vd;df; fhuzk; ___________________________________

54. cq;fs; Foe;ijfs; ve;jf; fy;tp epiyaj;jpy; gapYfpd;wdh;?

(1) muR fy;tpafk; (2) muR cjtpngWk; fy;tpafk; (3) jdpahh; fy;tpafk;

55. ve;j nkhoptopf; fy;tpapy; gapYfpwhh;fs;? (1) jkpo; top (2) Mq;fpy top

56. ,Ug;gplj;jpw;f;Fk;> gs;spf;Fk; ,ilNa cs;s njhiyT vt;tsT? __________

57. gs;spf;F cq;fs; Foe;ijfs; vt;thW nry;fpd;wdh;? ______________________


xxvi

58. fy;tp cjtpj;njhif VNjDk; cq;fs; Foe;ijfSf;F fpilf;fpwjh?

(1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

(m) Mk; vdpy;> vt;tifahd cjtpj;njhif? _________________________

59. fy;tp fw;f cq;fs; Foe;ijfsplk; Mh;tk; cs;sjh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

(m) Mk; vdpy;> J}z;LNfhyhf / cWJizahf ahh; ,Uf;fpwhh;fs;? _______

(M) ,y;iy vdpy;> vd;df; fhuzk;? __________________________________

60. cq;fs; Foe;ijfs; cah;f;fy;tp gapy tpUk;Gfpwph;fsh? (1) Mk; (2) ,y;iy

(m) Mk; vdpy;> vt;tifahd fy;tp?

(1) njhopw;f;fy;tp () gl;lag; gbg;G (3) gl;lg; gbg;G (4) gpw

(M) ,y;iy vdpy;> vd;df; fhuzk; ______________________________

61. cg;gsj; njhopyhsh;fspd; r%f kw;Wk; nghUshjhu juj;jpid Nkk;gLj;j

cg;gs Kjyhspfs ; kw;Wk; cg;gsj; njhopw;r; rq;fq;fs ; vd;d tifahd

eltbf;if vLf;f Ntz;Lnkd tpUk;Gfpwph;fs;?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

62. cg;gsj; njhopyhsh;fspd; r%f kw;Wk; nghUshjhu juj;jpid Nkk;gLj;j

kj;jpa kw;Wk; khepy muRfs ; vd;d tifahd eltbf;if vLf;f Ntz;Lnkd

tpUk;Gfpwph;fs;?

………………………………………………………………………………………………

………………………………………………………………………………………………

ehs; :

,lk; : ifnahg;gk;


xxvii

APPENDIX – III

MAP OF TUTICORIN DISTRICT

Documents

A STUDY ON SOCIO – ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF SALTPAN …arockiaamuthan.weebly.com/uploads/1/5/8/1/15813830/... · empires and inspired revolutions. As the time advanced uses of salt