A CASE STUDY ON SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF SALTPAN WORKERS
IN TUTICORIN DISTRICT
Project report submitted to
Kamaraj College, Thoothukudi
Affiliated to
Manonmanium Sundaranar University,
Tirunelveli
in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the degree of
BACHELOR OF COMMERCE
Submitted by
Name Reg.no
SANTHANARAJ. L 20172101301247
SATHISH SARAVANAN. M 20172101301249
SHREE BALAJI. S 20172101301251
SIVA@MANIKANDAN. P 20172101301252
SIVABALAN. M 20172101301253
Under the guide and supervision of
Mrs. E.Esakkiammal M.Com, M.Phil.
Assistant Professor, Department of Commerce
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
KAMARAJ COLLEGE
[Affiliated to ManonmaniumSundaranar University]
Thoothukudi-628003
November – 2019
1
DECLARATION
We declare that this project work entitled, “A CASE STUDY ON
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF SALTPAN WORKERS IN
TUTICORIN DISTRICT” submitted to KAMARAJ COLLEGE,
THOOTHUKUDI, affiliated to Manonmanium Sundaranar University
Tirunelveli in partial fulfilment for the award of degree BACHELOR OF
COMMERCE is a record of original work done under the supervision of E.
Esakkiammal M.Com,M.Phil, Assistant Prefessor in the department of
commerce, Kamaraj College. It is our original work and fresh work.
Place: Thoothukudi Signature of the Candidates
Date:
1. Santhanaraj. L
2. Sathish Saravanan. M
3. Shree Balaji. S
4. Siva@Manikandan. P
5. Sivabalan. M
2
Mrs. E. ESAKKIAMMAL M.Com, M.Phil.
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
KAMARAJ COLLEGE
THOOTHUKUDI - 628003
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that this project entitled “A CASE STUDY ON
SOCIO-ECONOMIC CONDITIONS OF SALTPAN WORKERS IN
TUTICORIN DISTRICT” is a bonafide record of research work done by
SANTHANARAJ.L, SATHISH SARAVANAN.M, SHREE BALAJI.S,
[email protected], SIVABALAN.M for the award of the degree of
Bachelor of Commerce in Kamaraj College, Thoothukudi, under my guidance
and supervision during the period of 2019 – 2020 and this project has not
previously formed the basis for the award of any degree, or any other similar
title.
Signature of the H.O.D., Signature of the Guide
Signature of the External
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
First of all, we devote our reverence to almighty for blessing us with an
opportunity to complete this project work successfully.
We express our deep thanks to our Principle Dr.D.NAGARAJAN Msc.,
M.Phil., Ph.d., of Kamaraj College and Dr.A.M.TONY MELWYN, M.Com.,
M.Phil., MFM, NET., Director of Kamaraj College ( SF ) for their
encouragement to do this case study.
We wish to express our hearty thanks to DR.P.SELVA MANI,
M.Com.,M.Phil.,NET., Head, department of commerce, for his valuable
suggestions and ideas.
We express our sincere and hearty thanks to our project guide Mrs.
E.ESAKKIAMMAL M.Com., M.Phil.,. She has advised us to do the project
successfully.
Thanks are also extended to each and every person who has directly or
indirectly helped us in completing this work. Finally we pay our sincere homage
to our Parents.
Thanks for all your encouragement!
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CONTENTS
Chapter No. Particulars Page No.
I INTRODUCTION AND DESIGN OF
THE STUDY 6-10
II THEORETICAL BACKGROUND 11-27
III SUGGESTIONS & CONCLUSION 28-30
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CHAPTER-I
6
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. 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.
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. 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.
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STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
The capitalist socio-economic system is based on the motivation of the
individual for financial profit. In the pursuit of profit, human beings are treated
as capital input, akin to land and equipment. Treating people as just another
form of capital has allowed for great social injustice and exploitation. Today
many hard working people face the loss of their jobs as companies under
pressure to increase profit margins look towards downsizing as an easy way to
cut costs. Many people remain chronically unemployed and underemployed
due to lack of jobs. For the past few years, there has been renewed interest in
socioeconomic status and its relationship with health and well-being. In
general, socioeconomic status is considered as an indicator of economic and
social position. Research suggests that occupation is the best single indicator of
socioeconomic position. However, including additional information, such as
education and income, can increase this to explain the variance in the measure
of social class. In addition, different items may assess unique dimensions of
socioeconomic status. The variables traditionally used to assess social standing
are education, occupation, and income; additional measures include
employment status, possessions, and presence of reading materials in homes.
While income is a widely used measure of socioeconomic status, research
provides evidence that aged youths are not accurate at estimating their parent’s
income. Recent analyses of socioeconomic mobility support the surprising
conclusion that occupational education alone serves as a powerful indicator of
socioeconomic standing than occupational income, occupational prestige, or
occupational Socio-economic Index. Another major socio-economic problem
observed among the low income group is the use of alcohol and other narcotics.
This is the major hindrance to the well being of this group of people.
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OBJECTIVES 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.
SCOPE OF THE STUDY
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.
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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.
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CHAPTER-II
11
PROFILE OF THE STUDY
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.
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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 .
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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. 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
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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. 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:
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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 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 . 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.
SOURCES OF SALT
The main sources of salt in India are
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➢ 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, 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
20
more than 100 acres) and 4.5 % is medium scale producers (having an
individual extent between 10 and 100 acres) . 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. 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
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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 salt. This did not perhaps mean the same as the salt monopoly
system which was introduced by the British in the 19 th 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
22
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. 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,
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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.
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
24
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. 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,
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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 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)
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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.
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CHAPTER-
III
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SUGGESTIONS
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. There should be a mutual, friendly and cordial
relationship between the owners and the salt workers. The salt workers must be
provided with the necessary equipments to work inside the saltpan like footwear
etc. The wages provided to the salt workers must be raised at ` 300 for per day.
The owner of the saltpan must provide several credit facilities to the workers to
construct their own house and to minimize private borrowings. Most of the
workers are residing far away from the salt industry. Hence transport fare must
be provided by the saltpan owner. The owner must take interest and should
organize periodical medical campaign for their workers which ensure a good
relationship between the employer and employee. Holidays must be provided to
the workers without the loss of pay in case of sickness and any important
personal work.
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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.
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