There
are 20,000 agarbatti rollers in Ahmedabad city. About 70% of them
are home-based workers and the remainder work in factories. Agarbatti
workers roll incense sticks for 8 to 10 hrs. a day so as to make
about 5,000 sticks. They get their raw materials from contractors
or local employers. They are piece-rated workers, earning Rs.4.50
to Rs.5 per 1,000 agarbattis rolled. Women whose husbands or other
male family members are laid-off from the city's textile mills
obtain employment in this industry.
For
the first time ever, thirty agarbatti workers held negotiations
at SEWA with fifteen of their employers for wage increases. They
demanded Rs.10 per 1,000 agarbattis rolled and health insurance.
They proposed a scheme whereby employers would contribute 75 percent
of the insurance premium and workers would provide the rest. They
also asked for appropriate work tools, especially a proper worktable
to prevent occupational health problems like back strain. The
employers have promised to consider these demands and fixed a
follow-up meeting.
Organising
Agarbatti Workers in 1999
No |
Activities |
Women |
Rs. |
1 |
Wage
increase |
2000 |
182500 |
2 |
Reinstatement
of Workers |
100 |
900000 |
3 |
Bonus
to workers |
1000 |
60000 |
 |
Total |
3100 |
2785000 |
