Open Access Research Article
A CRITICAL STUDY ON THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF WOMEN SALTPAN WORKERS IN THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT
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Article Details
A CRITICAL
STUDY ON THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF WOMEN SALTPAN WORKERS IN THOOTHUKUDI
DISTRICT
AUTHORED BY - M.ARAVIND KUMAR
LL.M.,*
Abstract
Thoothukudi, a significant coastal city in Tamil Nadu, serves as a
central hub for the state's expansive salt production landscape. As the
second-largest contributor to India's salt output, it trails only the state of
Gujarat in this regard. Salt pans, which have been utilized for centuries,
remain a crucial source of salt across numerous regions globally. The women
employed in the salt pans face a multitude of challenges, and their rights have
often been infringed upon. They receive meagre
wages, lack adequate work safeguards, and encounter a scarcity of safety
measures. These are just a few of the hardships they confront in their daily
lives. This article examines the effectiveness of the legislative framework in protecting the rights and well-being of
women workers employed in the salt pans of Thoothukudi district, Tamil Nadu.
The women salt pan workers in Thoothukudi face numerous obstacles, including
receiving low wages, lacking adequate workplace protections, restroom facilities, rest sheds and experiencing a shortage
of safety measures. These challenges
highlight the need for a more robust legislative framework to safeguard the
rights and well-being of these workers, who play a vital role in the region's
salt production industry.
Keywords: legislative framework, meagre wages,
restroom facilities, rest sheds, safety measures
____________
* Assistant Professor, Government Law
College, Coimbatore
Introduction
The salt industry holds a significant
position in India's economy, particularly in Tamil Nadu, where Thoothukudi is a
major salt-producing region. Women constitute a substantial portion of the
workforce in this sector, comprising an estimated 60-70% of the total salt
workers. However, their critical contributions and the unique challenges they
face often go unrecognized and unaddressed. While the industry's economic
importance is widely acknowledged, a deeper understanding of the roles,
experiences, and realities of women salt workers is crucial for promoting their
overall well-being, empowerment, and more equitable growth within the industry.
Women salt workers face multifaceted barriers that perpetuate their subordinate
status. Their isolation, limited access to education and training, and the
heavy physical demands of their work, compounded by issues like childbirth,
domestic responsibilities, and even abuse, severely constrain their
opportunities and agency. Despite the collaborative need for women's labor in
salt production, they continue to face pervasive gender-based discrimination,
including unequal pay, lack of job security, and limited access to essential
protective equipment.
Women Saltpan Workers in Thoothukudi
Thoothukudi is a major port
city in Tamil Nadu and home to much of the state’s salt harvesting terrain.
Salt production is carried out on approximately 25,000 acres on the outskirts
of Thoothukudi, producing about 25 lakh tonnes of salt every year. Around
50,000 workers are involved in salt production in Thoothukudi, with
approximately 21,000 being women. There are a number of reasons why women
outnumber males in the salt industry. The constant availability of female
laborers makes them a consistent workforce in the salt production process. Salt
industries employ a large proportion of men and women migrated from rural to
semi-urban regions. Women are generally engaged during the preparation of the
pan and later shifting of salt. The simplicity of the work allows even
illiterate and low-skilled female workers to find employment in this sector.
Meagre Wages
The low salary rate for female
laborers reflects a broader issue of wage disparity and exploitation in the
salt industry. Despite often performing labor-intensive tasks such as carrying
salt, women are frequently paid less than their male counterparts, based on the
presumption that they are less productive. The advantage of the salt industry
is that, because solar salt production is so straightforward, it employs even
illiterate and low-skilled workers. The potential for assigning more work to
women than to men stems from traditional gender roles, where women are often
expected to manage both household responsibilities and contribute to salt
production. In salt production, women's roles often include preparing the pans
and shifting salt. Although women contribute an equal amount of physical labor,
their traditional role in the production cycle is often restricted to
invisible, intensive, unskilled work. This can lead to women being assigned a
disproportionate amount of work, especially considering that salt production
employs even illiterate and low-skilled workers, making it accessible to many
women.
The disparity in earnings between
male and female saltpan workers is a concerning issue that highlights the
exploitation of women in this industry. Male workers earn nearly ?400-600 per
day, while women are paid only around ?250-?350[1],
despite performing similar arduous labor. This wage gap is not only unjust but
also contributes to the financial burden carried by these female workers and
their families. Additionally, the lack of proper care and support for the
workers' children can lead to high rates of illness and even death,
perpetuating the cycle of poverty and hardship. Interestingly, despite these
difficulties, rural women in regions like Gujarat view saltpan work as a
traditional and familiar occupation. [2] Even in the face of issues such as migration,
contract labor, and lack of basic facilities, these low-educated, rural women
rely on the salt industry for their livelihoods. As they grow older, their
diminishing physical abilities worsen their economic situation, underscoring
the need for comprehensive support and welfare measures to uplift the socio-economic
status of these marginalized workers.
Arduous Nature of Work
The work in salt pans is physically
grueling and entails repetitive manual labor such as scraping, gathering, and
hauling heavy loads of salt. Women, who make up a significant portion of the
workforce, toil for extended periods under the relentless sun, frequently
without adequate protective equipment. This exposure leads to severe
exhaustion, physical strain, and potential health risks. Each salt worker is
responsible for shifting an astounding 5 to 7 tons of salt daily, a testament
to the sheer physical demands of this occupation.[3]
Debt and Dependence
Due to their low and irregular
incomes, women saltpan workers are often forced to rely on saltpan owners for
credit to meet their basic living expenses. The high interest rates charged by
these moneylenders trap the workers in a vicious cycle of debt, making it
extremely difficult for them to improve their overall socio-economic status.
This precarious financial situation severely undermines the workers' ability to
save, invest in their own development, or provide a secure future for
themselves and their families. Without the means to build financial stability,
these women remain in a state of constant vulnerability, unable to break free from
the constraints of poverty and debt.[4]
Addressing this entrenched cycle of debt and lack of economic opportunity is
crucial to empowering these women, uplifting their community, and restoring
their rights and dignity as workers.
Lack of Maternity Benefits
Women saltpan workers in Thoothukudi
lack maternity benefits under the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961. Maternity benefits include paid leave and
healthcare coverage. According to The Maternity Benefit Act, women employee
shall be entitled to Maternity Benefit provide she works for not less than 80
days in the 12 months immediately preceding the date of her expected delivery
in an establishment of an employer. The maximum period for which any women
shall be entitled to maternity benefit shall be 26 weeks. Similarly creche
facility has been made mandatory for every establishment employing 50 or more
employees. The main reason for lack of maternity benefits is the fear of job
loss, especially in informal settings. Workers feel pressured by employers not
to claim benefits, fearing dismissal.
This power dynamic denies women their rights and impacts their health
and financial stability.
No Equal Pay for Equal work
There is a significant pay disparity
between male and female saltpan workers. Male workers are compensated at a
daily rate of Rs.600, while their female counterparts receive only Rs.590 per
day for performing the same tasks. This wage gap points to a concerning lack of
implementation and enforcement of legislation designed to ensure equal pay for
equal work, regardless of gender. The informal and unregulated nature of the
salt industry often lacks standardized wage structures and formal employment
contracts. This lack of oversight and structure allows employers to exploit the
vulnerable position of female saltpan workers, paying them significantly less
than what would be considered fair or legal in more formalized and regulated
sectors. The absence of robust labor protections in this industry enables
employers to take advantage of the precarious economic situations faced by
female saltpan workers, resulting in the payment of substandard wages that fall
short of just compensation.
Lack of welfare measures
Many saltpans lack basic amenities
such as clean drinking water, toilet facilities, and sanitation facilities.
This absence of essential facilities poses significant health risks and
compromises the dignity of women workers. Without access to clean water, proper
restrooms, and adequate sanitation, the women employed in these harsh salt pan
environments are forced to endure unsanitary and dehumanizing working
conditions. This lack of basic infrastructure not only threatens their physical
well-being but also undermines their fundamental human rights and dignity. The
limited access to restrooms for women saltpan workers poses significant health
and safety challenges. While maintaining hydration is crucial in the harsh
conditions of salt pans, the lack of adequate sanitation facilities leads many
women to restrict their fluid intake. This intentional dehydration, combined
with the already hot and demanding work environment, can result in serious
health consequences, including acute kidney injuries. The absence of proper
sanitation also increases the risk of urogenital infections, especially during
menstruation. Instead of risking health issues, women workers often limit their
fluid intake, despite feeling thirsty. This can lead to dehydration and related
internal complications. Therefore, providing adequate restroom facilities is
essential for protecting the health and dignity of women working in the salt
industry. [5]
Occupational Hazards
The harsh conditions of salt pan work
significantly affect workers' health. Constant contact with saltwater irritates
the skin, and prolonged exposure to intense sunlight can weaken eyesight.
Limited access to clean water and inadequate dietary intake further exacerbate
these issues.[6] Access
to medical facilities is also often limited, leaving workers vulnerable to
various health problems. The saline environment takes a toll on those who live
and work in it. Women employed in the salt industries are subject to a variety
of workplace dangers. These workers complain of
?
Chest pain from lifting and carrying heavy loads of Salt,
?
Tendering of feet from a lack of vitamin B-complex and prolonged
standing in brine,
?
Burning eyes and blurry vision from salt crystals reflecting and
radiating light in bright sunlight,
?
Dry skin, stomach aches, and other conditions like hyperacidity
brought on by prolonged periods of fasting, Dental issues, skin issues, and
musculoskeletal issues,
?
Excessive strain,
?
A Lack of a well-protected water supply, and
?
An Unsanitary environment with mosquito breeding all around was
the causes of body discomfort, leg cramps, malaria, jaundice etc.,
Long-term exposure to salt fields has
been shown in multiple international, national, and field studies to have a
number of negative consequences on health. Occupational health issues affecting
women saltpan workers include exposure to brine and salt crystals, physical
stress, sunshine, and glare from sunlight reflected by salt crystals.
Conclusion and Suggestions
Women employed in the Thoothukudi
saltpans confront an array of challenges. They endure grueling work hours under
the relentless sun without adequate protection, leading to fatigue.
Additionally, their employment is seasonal, and their earnings are meager,
depriving them of social and health security. The hazardous work environment
and extreme climatic conditions they face contribute to various occupational
health issues, including gynaecological problems, renal disorders, dental
complications, skin conditions, and musculoskeletal ailments. Providing
essential personal protective equipment, such as gumboots, gloves, and goggles,
is crucial to shield them from the high solar radiation. Despite the
government's efforts to provide housing facilities and financial assistance
during the off-season, the salt workers continue to grapple with harsh working
conditions and financial instability.
Job security is a significant motivational factor that is currently
lacking in this industry, resulting in poor conditions for the salt workers of
Thoothukudi. It is crucial for both the government and local non-governmental
organizations to prioritize the health and socio-economic well-being of these
women saltpan workers. While legal and welfare provisions exist, their
implementation remains inadequate. The lack of job security is a crucial factor
contributing to the poor conditions experienced by the salt workers in
Thoothukudi. It is imperative that both the government and local
non-governmental organizations prioritize addressing the health and socioeconomic
well-being of these women saltpan workers. Although legal and welfare
provisions are in place, their implementation has been insufficient. To address
these challenges, the following recommendations are proposed:
·
Regular
inspections and strict enforcement of social security legislations for saltpan
workers are essential to ensure compliance and protect the rights of women
workers.
- Conducting awareness campaigns
to educate women saltpan workers about their rights and the welfare
schemes available to them is crucial.
- Establishing mobile health
clinics and providing access to affordable healthcare services can address
the prevalent health problems among women workers.
- Ensuring the provision of clean
drinking water, sanitation facilities, and restroom facilities at saltpan
sites is essential to protect the health and dignity of women workers.
- Offering education and skill
development programs can empower women to seek alternative employment
opportunities and improve their socio-economic status.
- Strengthening social security
measures such as pensions, insurance, and maternity benefits can provide a
safety net for women workers and their families.
- Addressing gender discrimination
and promoting equal opportunities for women in the salt industry is
crucial to create a more equitable and sustainable work environment.
Reference
·
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[1] “Saltpan Workers happy over govt.dole” The Hindu, Sep.9, 2021.
[2] The Advantage of the salt industry is that because
solar salt production is so straightforward, it employs even illiterate and
low-skilled workers.
[3] S Godson Wisely Dass, “Pinching Reality of Salt Pan Workers
Who Toil Without Loos, Safe Drinking Water & Shade in TN”, The New
Indian Express, Apr. 19, 2024, available at:
https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/tamil-nadu/2024/Apr/19/pinching-reality-of-salt-pan-workers-who-toil-without-loos-safe-drinking-water-shade-in-tn
(last visited on Mar. 8, 2025).
[4] BOBP-IGO,
“Study on the Socio-Economic Status of Workers in the Salt Industry in India”
204 (2006)
[6] M.Sagunthala and Dr. K.Sadasivam, “Exploring the Economic
and Health Status of Saltpan Workers in Thoothukudi District” 10 Tijer 254
(2023).
Article Information
A CRITICAL STUDY ON THE WORKING CONDITIONS OF WOMEN SALTPAN WORKERS IN THOOTHUKUDI DISTRICT
Authors: M.ARAVIND KUMAR
- Journal IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
- Published 2025/03/10
- Issue 7
About Journal
International Journal for Legal Research and Analysis
- Abbreviation IJLRA
- ISSN 2582-6433
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