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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
Cashew is one of the important plantation crop introduced in India during
the 16th centuary.Since the worlds demand for cashew kernels has been raising
steadily for several years in the past. Conferring significant price increases the
processing of cashew remains still a highly profitable industry. Further being
the earliest and the largest supplier of cashew kernels in the world markets.
India also enjoys a privileged position in the world.
As a countable item in our foreign exchange earning it has come to
occupy a place of prominence in its cultivation. Its cultivation is an important
horticultural activity in the country. The main cashew growing states in the
country are Kerala, Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andrapradesh, Goa
and Pondicherry.
Cashew was introduced roughly about five hundred years ago by the
Portuguese for the purpose of checking soil erosion.
Cashew grow in bean- shaped shells attached to fruit like cashew apples.
The stem grows at the end opposite to the nut
A cashew nut is about 2.4cm long. Its shell is about 3mm, having a soft
leathery outer skin and thin hard inner skin.
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Cashew spreads widely. It comes up well up to a height of 700 meters
and increases well near the sea coast. However, it is grown successfully at
places which are away from the sea coast also.
Cashew is a sun loving tree and does not allow excessive shade. It does
best with long sunshine hours throughout the year. It requires a lot of sunlight
uniformly distributed over its entire leaves, in order to complete its reproductive
cycle and to give a satisfactory yield.
Regarding the soil requirement of cashew crop, it is found to grow from
the poorest to the richest on stony ground as well as in the sandy tracks but,
performs badly in heavy day or lime stone, water logged condition, ill drained
soils or in strong saline water bearing stratum.
For maximum productivity cashew prefers good well drained, aerated
sandy loam soil with adequate moisture. However these soils are poor in
fertility. Therefore cashew trees need to be fertilized regularly in these areas.
Regarding the time of sowing, June to October is the optimum season.
Cashew has two parts, the fleshy sweat cashew apple and cashew nut.
This is one of the better taste, low sugar and fat and higher and better quality
protein. While most nuts have saturated fatty acids, cashew has 47% fat, of this
82% is unsaturated fatty acids free from cholesterol. Cashew kernel contains
21% of proteins which is at par with soya been and ground nuts quantitatively
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but quantity wise. Its proteins are more on the side of milk, eggs and meat. It
contains amino acids in the right proportion for the human body.
Also at present cashew is considered as snacks, especially a “cocktail
snack” and they globally about 85% of cashew can be used as an ingredient in
cooking cereals, bakery, confectionery, chocolates, cookies, ice-creams etc.,
Features of cashew Industry:-
The major features of the cashew industry are as follows:
1. Cashew factories are located mostly in rural and backward areas.
2. Cashew factories use labour intensive technique of production.
3. Female labour in cashew industries contribute to about 90% of the total
work force.
4. The cashew factory is an important foreign exchange earner.
5. The cashew industry does not necessarily require electric power for
operations. It is only a packing stage that normal power is used.
6. The cashew processing industry does not generate any waste. The shell of
cashew is used as fuel.
Advantages of cashew industry:-
There are some important advantages in the cashew nut
processing industry. They are as follows,
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1. The cashew nut industry helps to remove poverty by generating rural
income.
2. The cashew nut industries provide gain full employment opportunities to
rural women.
3. Cashew kernel is one of the export oriented commodities. This increases
the income and welfare of the people.
4. Increase in employment of cashew nut industry also improves the
economic and social status of the people.
Disadvantages of cashew industry:-
The cashew nut factories have disadvantages like those given below.
1. According to government Act the cashew industries must provide the
workers with gloves to protect their hands. But most of the factories
donot provide gloves to the workers. This after the skin and health of the
workers.
2. Women workers in the cashew nut industry are kept under conditions of
close control and strict supervision.
Statement of the problems:-
In India, the study of working condition is of recent origin. Working
conditions are associated with the industrialization. In general working
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condition consists of working process, labour problems, working hours,
sickness, healthcare, education, culture and recreation facilities.
Shortage of raw cashew nut is the major problem. The cashew industry
was initially dependent largely on imported raw cashew nuts. The growth of
exports is not on the expected line due to stiff competition, from other countries.
The real problem arose with the emergence and development of the cashew
industry.
Objectives of the study:-
1. To study the general process of cashew nuts in the study area.
2. To analyse the production, sales and profit of cashew nut industries in the
study area.
3. To analyse the working conditions of cashew workers in Kaliyal village.
4. To suggest ways and measures to solve the problems of cashew workers.
Methodology:-
The study is both descriptive and an analytical study in nature. The
different process of cashew nuts have been identified and described. The
descriptions are based on journals, magazines, and text books.
However the field study has been restricted to 5 industries to which the
researcher belongs. Only 50 samples were selected at random. According to
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convenience sampling method to study their problems, employing an interview
schedule. The sample selected represents all the categories of workers (i.e.)
Roasters, Shellers, Peelers, Graders.
Among the nine cashew factories in Kaliyal village the researches has
selected only five units. Detailed discussions were held with the managers and
union leaders.
Sources of data:-
The study is based on primary as well as secondary data. The primary
data have been collected from the workers of Kaliyal village of Kanyakumari
district. The details regarding various process of cashew nuts area profile had
been collected as secondary data from journals, magazines, newspaper and
books.
Statistical tools:-
Statistical methods are the mechanical process, especially designs to
facilitate and analyze the large body quantitative data. The aim of statistical
method is to interpret the completed data for the purpose of analysis. The
present study has employed percentages, to analyze the data from the records of
the selected cashew nut industries have been calculated for the profit to make
the study quit meaningful.
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Limitations:-
The present study has the following limitations;
1. Some data are not 100% accurate.
2. This study is confined to the cashew nut processing industries only.
3. The field study has been made in the selected units only.
4. Time limit for the study is also a drawback of this project.
5. Since convenience sampling was selected, findings and observations from
the primary data may not hold well in a wider context.
Scheme of study:-
This project consists of five chapters. The first chapter is an introductory
chapter, where, brief introduction about the cashew nut has been given .The
chapter two is devoted to the processing of cashew nuts in the study area. In the
chapter three, production, sales and profit of cashew nut industries in the
selected area are given. Fourth chapter deals with the working condition of the
cashew nut industry in the study area, i.e.; the data analysis. The researchers’
findings, suggestions and concluding observations are given in chapter five.
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CHAPTER II
PROCESSING OF CASHEW NUTS IN THE
STUDY AREA
Scope of the study:-
From the year of 1960 Kerala cashew factory owners started cashew
industries in Kanyakumari district. They started cashew nut industries in
Vilavancode Taluk also cashew industries is one of the most profitable
industries in Kanyakumari district.
After the emerge of cashew nut industries the rural areas, developed
in the socio-economic conditions. In Kanyakumari district as per the survey
conducted by Employees State Insurance Corporation Authorities nearly 285
industries were there in the year 1991. Nowadays more than 400 industries are
there.
These studies confined to Kaliyal village area particularly in
Melparur, Ponginkalai, Kattavillai, Arakanadu, and Marudhampara.
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Description of study area:
Kaliyal village is situated in vilavancode taluk of Kanyakumari district. It is
a small village consisting of Hindus, Christians and Muslims. The main
occupation of the local people is agriculture. They are generally very poor
because of their unemployment condition low income and general illiteracy.
Soil:-
The village has red soil. Red soil is suitable for all type of crops. The
red color denotes the presence of Iron in higher percentage.
Climate:-
This Panchayth has moderate temperature and humidity. The climate
is more or less same all over the district.
Population:-
The total population of this village is 66,300 and the total number of
house hold is 14,116.
Educational Institution:-
In Kaliyal village there are three Government schools and two
Management Higher Secondary schools. The literacy rate of this village is 72%
and people speak Tamil and Malayalam.
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Occupation:-
The main occupation of the people is agriculture. People cultivate
commercial and non-commercial crops. The commercial crops are banana,
coconuts, tapioca, cashewnut and so-on. Rice cultivation and vegetables
cultivation also form the major items.
Saving Pattern:-
Saving is the outcome of income. In Kaliyal village a majority of the
population are landless. They are keeping account with the post office for the
benefit of their children. But the land lords have accounts in post office as well
as in banks.
Stages in cashew nut Processing:-
Cashew nut processing lowers all the stages from the drying of raw
cashew nuts to the packing of processed kernels. We shall divide the entire
process into 8 stages and in each stage we shall examine the purpose and
methods currently employed.
1. Drying of raw cashew nuts:-
Drying seeks to reduce the moisture content to facilitate storage without
rapid deterioration. Moisture loss at this stage ranges between three to ten
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percent depending on the time of harvest. Storage in well ventilated warehouses
is also a prerequisite for good yields.
2. Roasting / Streaming:-
It is employed to facilitate the removal of the shell in the subsequent process.
(A) Roasting:-
Roasting could be done in two ways.
Drum Roasting:-
Roasting is one of the oldest and most widely use
methods. The raw nuts are passed through a heated drum where it
catches fire. The whole process takes about two minutes. About 8 to
10 bags can be roasted in one hour. This is one of the cheapest
available methods through shell oil recovery in not possible.
Oil (Plant) Roasting:-
In this method dried nuts conditioned with water are
passed through a hot oil (Cashew nut Shell Liquid – CNSL) bath
by conveyer buckets shell oil can be recovered at this point and
also later by crushing the shell. However this method involves
higher initial investment. Moreover, unless the raw nuts are of
good quality and well dried, the colour of the processed kernels
would be poor. This method is generally not being used now.
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(B) Steaming :-
Steaming is an alternative to roasting. Well dried raw
nuts are steam Cooked at about 120 -140lbs/sq inch pressure. About
six bags can be cooked in an hour. Shell oil can be extracted in later
stages by crushing.
3. Removal of the shell:-
(A) Shelling:-
Roasted ( drum or oil roasted ) nuts are shelled by
workers using wooden mallets. We can see the shelling process from
the following picture.
(B) Cutting:-
Steamed nuts are cut by workers with blades mounted on
wooden tables. At this point a comparison of roasting / shelling and
steaming / cutting is warranted. The latter scores as far as pollution
control is concerned and is more productive. When the nuts are of
fairly large size and well dried. Shell oil recovery is also possible.
However, it involves higher initial investment, higher maintenance
costs, extra drying of the raw nuts and is counterproductive when the
nuts are small in size. Hence the cheaper and more convenient drum
roasting / shelling combination is more widely used.
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4. Drying and cooling of shelled kernels:-
The shelled kernels are dried in a “Borma” (Oven) at 80 to 90 degrees
centigrade. The process takes about six to twelve hours depending on the
kernels and type of “Borma“used.
The old methods such as the 8 feet, 12feet and the “Thattu”. Borma are
direct application of heat generated using cashew shell as fud. The “ Blower
Borma” in which hot air is blown into the chamber where the kernels are kept
and the “ Electric Borma “ are recent arrivals. Though the older methods cause
greater roasting, they are still widely used because of the higher investments
and with the maintenance costs associated with the recent innovations. Bormas
which use combinations of old and new methods can also be found in the
industry.
5. Peeling:-
The testa is peeled off and initial grading as whole and brokers and by
colour is done. The Peeling worker has to be experienced and skilled if
breakages are to be kept to a minimum.
6. Grading:-
The peeled cashew kernels are graded according to its size, colour and its
maturity. There are around 22 grades of cashew kernels and a specification of
each grade is laid down by the cashew export promotion council.
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7. Filling:-
The graded kernels are filled in 25Ib tin containers after infusing carbon
dioxide to prevent infestation.
8. Packing:-
Two 25Ib tins are packed in a corrugated box and strapped. Two whole
processes takes place about six days from roasting / steaming to packing and is
highly labour intensive.
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CHAPTER III
THE PRODUCTION, MARKETING AND
PROFIT OF CASHEWNUT INDUSTRIES IN
THE STUDY AREA.
Kaliyal Town Panchayath is a pioneer is cashew industries than any other
panchayath in Kanyakumari district. This industry mainly depends upon female
workers.
In all the five industries peelers and shellers are getting fixed rate of wage
shellers get Rs.8.60 per kg and peelers get Rs.9.30 per kg. None of the
industries are having their own machines for packing the processed cashew
nuts. After the processing of cashew nut is over it is sent to their Head office for
packing.
The individual production sales and profit of all the five units are given
below by way of Bar charts.
Kattavilai cashew industry
Kattavilai cashew industry was started in the year 1989, with an initial
investment of Rs. 8 lakhs. This Industry is built in sixty five cents of land. The
head office of this industry is at kuttakuzhi. When it was started, the
management has taken a loan from the commercial bank at 2% interest rate. The
industry started its working with 100 employees. Among these 100 workers,
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only 9 were females and the remaining were males. But now there is about 142
workers. among this 142 workers,130 were females and the remaining 12 were
males. To protect the surrounding from population, a chimney at a height of
hundred and thirty feet was built. The industry buys raw cashew nuts from
Thoothukudi and exports it to Arabian counties.
Production of cashew from Kattavilai cashew industry.
Year Units
2007 85000
2008 75000
2009 60000
2010 55000
2011 25000
Source : Primary Data
The above table shows that there is a decrease of production in every
year. The researcher founds that the reason for such decrease of production is
due to the emergence of new units every year.
Ponginkalai cashew factory
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Ponginkalai cashew industry was started in the year 1980, with an initial
investment of Rs. 7 lakhs. This factory is built in 70 cents of land. The head
office of this factory is at Kannumamoodu. The factory started its working with
60 employees. Among this 51 workers were females and the remaining were
males. To protect the surrounding from population, a chimney at a height of
hundred and thirty feet was built. The industry buys raw cashew nuts from
Salem
Production of cashew from Pongankalai Cashew industry
Year Units
2007 70000
2008 60000
2009 65000
2010 45000
2011 30000
Source : Primary Data
The above table reveals that the production is decreasing year by year.
The researcher founds that the availability of raw cashew nuts were less during
2011. The decrease in production has decreased the profit also.
Associated Cashew nuts Factory
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Associated Cashew nuts Industry was started in the year 1990, with an
initial investment of Rs. 5 lakhs. This factory is built in 80 cents of land. The
head office of this factory is at Kannumamoodu. The factory started its working
with 72 employees, where 67 workers are females and the remaining were
males. To protect the surrounding from population, a chimney at a height of
hundred and thirty feet was built. The industry buys raw cashew nuts from
Tirunelveli.
Production of cashew from associated cashew industry
Year Units
2007 10000
2008 12000
2009 13000
2010 14000
2011 15000
Source : Primary Data
The above table shows that there is a increase of production in every year.
The researcher founds that the reason for such increase of production is due to
the increase of special bonus every year. The increase in the production results
in the increase of profit
Priyadharshini cashew factory
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Priyadharshini cashew industry was started in the year 1987, with an
initial investment of Rs.7 lakhs. This factory is built in 80 cents of land. The
head office of this factory is at Kannumamoodu. At the time of starting the total
workers were 57 in number, where 50 are females and the remaining where
males. To protect the surrounding from population, a chimney at a height of
hundred and thirty feet was built. The industry buys raw cashew nuts from
Tirunelveli.
Production of cashew from Priyadharashini cashew industry
Year Units
2007 30000
2008 35000
2009 40000
2010 43000
2011 50000
Source : Primary Data:
The above table shows that the production is increasing year after year,
from 1999 to 2003. This is due to the fact that there occurs an increase in the
import of raw cashew in every year.
Prasanthi Cashew nut Industry
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Prasanthi Cashew nut factory is also an important cashew nut factory in
the Kaliyal village
Production of cashew from prasanthi cashew industry
Year Units
2007 30000
2008 25000
2009 23000
2010 20000
2011 10000
Source : Primary Data
The above table reveals that the production is decreasing year after year.
It Is due to the reason that there start one more units in the same area during the
year 2000, which is not taken for study. Also frequent labour turnover was
identified by the researcher in this unit.
CHAPTER IV
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ANALYSIS OF WORKING CONDITION
The success of an organization depends to a large extend on the moral
behavior and the whole hearted co-operation of the employee. The employee’s
moral depends upon the company’s relationship and the responsibility to the
worker. The responsibility of the organization to the worker include, payment of
fair wages, provition of the better working conditions like ventilation, lighting,
drinking water facilities, canteens, rest rooms, establishments of work standards
and norms etc.
Hence an attempt has been made by the researcher to analyse the working
conditions of the cashew nut factory workers in Kaliyal village. The entire
analysis is centered to know the adequency and the responsibility of the
organization to the workers in the industry.
Literary Status:
Education is the most important factor for the human population to
transform the human population into human capital. The literary status of the
respondents is given below;
Table: 4.1 Literary Status of the respondents
Sl. NO Qualification No. of workers Percentage
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1 1 - 5 17 34
2 6 - 10 30 60
3 11 – 12 2 4
4 Above 12 1 2
Total 50 100
Source: primary data
It can be observed from the table 4.1 that out of the fifty respondents only 2% of
the respondents had studied above 12th. Further 34% of the sample respondents
have elementary education. Thus the above table shows that majority of the
respondents are educated only up to higher secondary level. There lack of study
is due to poverty.
Marital Status:
The marital status of the sample respondents are given below.
Table 4.2 Marital Status or the sample respondents
Sl. No Marital Status No. of Workers Percentage
1 Married 28 56
2 Unmarried 22 44
Total 50 100
Source: primary data
The above table reveals that out of the fifty workers interviewed 28 workers are
married and 22 workers is unmarried, which constitutes 56% and 44%
respectively
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The majority of the workers are married and they are mainly doing this
job to meet the education expenses of their children and also to meet their
family expenses. The unmarried suggested that they are mainly working to meet
their marriage expenses.
Nature of Job:
The main findings regarding the nature of the job of the respondents are
given below
Table 4.3 Nature of job of the respondents
Sl. NO Nature of Job No. of Workers Percentage
1 Roasting 10 20
2 Shelling 13 26
3 Peeling 16 32
4 Grading 11 22
5 Packing --- ---
Total 50 100
Source: primary data
The table 4.3 reveals that out of 50 respondents 16 respondents are
working in the peeling section, which constitutes 32% and 13 respondents are
working in the shelling section, which constitutes 26% and 11 respondents are
in the grading section, which constitutes 20%
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The researcher founds that majority of the respondents are working in the
peeling section due to the high wage rate.
Opinion about the wages of cashew workers:
The workers interviewed have two sided opinions about the wage rate of
them.
Table 4.4 Opinion about the wage rate of the workers
Sl. No Opinion No. of workers Percentage
1 Good -- --
2 Moderate 48 96
3 Bad 2 4
Total 50 100
Source: Primary data
The above table reveals that 96% of the respondents feel the wage rate as
moderate. Two respondents’ feels that wage rate is very bad and they suggest
that they are not satisfied with their present wages.
Quantity of cashew nut peeled in one day:
The quantity of cashew nuts peeled in one day by the sample respondents
are given below;
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Table 4.5 quantity of cashew nuts peeled in one day
Sl. No Quantity of nuts
peeled
(kg)
No. of workers Percentage
1 5-10 8 50
2 11-15 4 25
3 16-20 4 25
Total 16 100
Source: primary data
The table 4.5 reveals that out of the fifty samples interviewed, only 16
respondents are working in the peeling section. Among this sixteen, about eight
respondent are peeling 5-10 kg of cashew nuts.255 of the respondents are
peeling 11-15 kg and the remaining 25% of the respondents are peeling 16-20
kg of cashew nuts
Quantity of cashew nut shells in one day:
The total amount of cashew nut shells which is been output is given
below
Table 4.6 Quantity of cashew nuts shell in one day
Sl. No Units (kg) No. of Percentage
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respondents
1 5-10 10 77
2 11-15 2 15
3 16-20 1 8
Total 13 100
Source: primary data
The above table 4.6 shows that out of the fifty sample respondents only
13 respondents are doing the shelling work. Out of this 13 ten workers which
constitutes 77% shells 5-10 kg of nuts per day. Only 2 respondents shells 11-15
kg of cashew nuts and the remaining 1 respondent shells about 16-20 kg of
cashew nuts.
Earning of bonus per year:
The below table clearly explains the total bonus earnings of the workers
in a year
Table 4.7 Earning of bonus per year
Sl. No Bonus (In Rs) No. of workers Percentage
1 2000 20 40
2 2500 12 24
3 3000 7 14
4 3500 11 22
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Total 50 100
Source: primary data
All the five cashew nut factories which is studied provides bonus every
year. Table 4.7 reveals that 20 respondents which constitute 40% of the sample
respondents are getting 2000 Rs as bonus, per year. 7 respondents are getting
bonus of Rs 3000 per year.
The researchers found out that majority of the workers are getting Rs
2000 as bonus per year.
Working conditions of the cashew workers:
The working conditions of the workers in the factories are listed below
Table 4.8 Working condition of the cashew workers
Sl.
No
Opinion Ventilation
facility
% Water
facility
% First aid
facility
% Gloves
facility
%
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1 Satisfied 50 100 50 100 50 100 --- ---
2 Not
Satisfied
--- --- --- --- ---- --- 50 100
Total 50 100 50 100 50 100 50 100
Source: primary data
NB: % (Percentage)
It is evident from the above table 4.8 that all the units selected for study is
providing good working conditions. All the workers are fully satisfied with their
working conditions. Unfortunately none of the units are providing gloves
facilities to protect the workers skin.
Opinion about the medical facilities to the workers:
The factories which were studied are providing some medical facilities.
These medical facilities provided are viewed differently by the workers.
Table 4.9 Opinion about the medical facilities to the workers
Sl. No Opinion No. of workers Percentage
1 Highly Satisfied --- ---
2 Satisfied 46 92
3 Not Satisfied 4 8
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Total 50 100
Source: primary data
The table 4.9 shows that, out of the fifty workers selected, 46 workers
were satisfied with the medical facilities provided to them. On the other hand,
8% of the respondents are not satisfied with the medical facilities.
Opinion of cash advances to the workers:
Cash advances have a vital role in motivating the workers. The below
table reveals about the cash advances received by the workers.
Table 4.10 Opinion of cash advances to the workers:
Sl. No Opinion No. Of workers Percentage
1 Yes 50 100
2 No --- ---
Total 50 100
Source: primary data
Table 4.10 shows that all the sample respondents agreed that they are
given advances for their emergencies. But they are getting only Rs 2000 to Rs
3000 as advances. The workers suggested that this amount is given for the
purpose of canvassing and motivating the other workers.
Opinion of the workers compensation:
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The workers in the study area are provided with the compensations. The
details are listed below;
Table 4.11 Opinion of the workers compensation
Sl. No Opinion No. of workers Percentage
1 Highly Satisfied --- ---
2 Satisfied 40 80
3 Not Satisfied 10 20
Total 50 100
Source: primary data
Table 4.11 shows that out of fifty samples, 40 respondents were satisfied
with the workers compensation, as against 10 respondents are not satisfied with
the workers compensation. The researcher founds that majority of the workers
are satisfied with the compensations.
Reason for choosing cashew employment:
The reason for choosing up this job by the workers varies due to some
certain problems. They are also listed below;
Table 4.12 Reason for choosing cashew employment
Sl. No Reason No. of Workers Percentage
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1 Poverty 50 100
2 Unemployment --- ---
3 Higher Studies --- ---
4 To help family --- ---
Total 50 100
Source: primary data
According to the field survey, all the samples selected for the study is
coming to work in the cashew factories is due to poverty. It is found that the
married women are working to take care of their children. The unmarried are
working to earn money to meet their marriage expenses.
Number of working days:
The details regarding the working days of workers are given in the
following table.
Table 4.13 Number of working days
Sl. No Working Days
(weekly)
No. of workers Percentage
1 4 Days --- ---
2 5 Days 10 20
3 6days 40 80
Total 50 100
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Source: primary data
Table 4.13 reveals that out of 50 sample respondents, 40 workers are
working for six days in a week. Ten sample workers work for 5 days in a week.
Anyhow, if there is any shortage of raw materials, the number of working days
will be reduced by the owners.
Working hours:
The total working hours of the workers are listed in the below table.
Table 4.14 Working hours:
Sl. No Hours worked No. of workers Percentage
1 7 Hours --- ---
2 8 Hours 30 60
3 9 Hours 20 40
Total 50 100
Source: primary data
Table 4.14 shows that out of fifty sample respondents, 30 are working eight
hours in a day and 20 are working nine hours in a day. The researcher founds
that majority of the respondents are working for eight hours in a day and none
of them are working for seven hours in a day.
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Opinion about their leisure time:
The opinion of the workers regarding the leisure time provided to them is
listed below;
Table 4.15 Opinion about their leisure time
Sl. No Opinion No. of workers Percentage
1 Yes 50 100
2 No --- ---
Total 50 100
Source: primary data
Table 4.15 shows that all the sample respondents are provided with break
in between their work. But the workers suggested that the break time is not
enough. Hence it is advised to the owners that the break time should be
extended to motivate the workers.
Job satisfaction of the workers:
The satisfaction level of the workers on doing this job also varies. This
can be revealed with the help of the following table.
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Table 4.16 Job satisfaction of the workers
Sl. No Opinion No. of workers Percentage
1 Highly Satisfied --- ---
2 Satisfied 50 100
3 Not Satisfied --- ---
Total 50 100
Source: primary data
Table 4.16 reveals that, all the sample respondents are satisfied with the
type of work, which they perform, None of the workers is highly satisfied with
their work and no workers is dissatisfied also.
Membership in trade union:
There are trade unions in the study area. These trade unions play a vital
role in determining the working conditions of the factory workers.
Table 4.17 Membership in trade union:
Sl. No Opinion No. of workers Percentage
1 Yes 40 80
2 No 10 20
Total 50 100
Source: primary data
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Table 4.17 shows that among the fifty samples selected for the study,
fourty are having the trade union memberships and ten workers had not yet
joined the trade union. The majority of the workers had joined the trade union to
claim their rights.
Overall satisfaction of the workers:
The overall satisfaction of the workers on doing this work is listed below.
Table 4.18 Overall satisfactions of the workers
Sl. No Opinion No. of workers Percentage
1 Yes 20 40
2 No 30 60
Total 50 100
Source: primary data
Table 4.18 shows that, out of the fifty respondents 30 workers are not satisfied
with the overall facilities provided by the factory. 20 sample respondents are
satisfied with the facilities provided by the factory.
Since majority of the sample workers are not satisfied with the overall
facilities in the factory, it is suggested that the management should take some
suitable measurers like increasing the wages, bonus, advances, etc; to satisfy the
workers.
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CHAPTER V
FINDING, SUGGESTIONS & CONCLUSION
Findings & Suggestions
On the basis of the study, the researchers findings and suggestions as
remedial measures to uplift the life of the workers in cashew nut industry and
the prosperity of the cashew units in Kaliyal village are listed below.
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Frequent labour turn over in ‘Kattavilai‘ industry should be avoided in
future and the experienced workers should be retailed by giving some extra
benefits. Frequent labour turn over will affect the industry also.
1. The workers had selected this job only to develop the living conditions.
So the government and the management should give sufficient facilities
to the workers.
2. Cashew nut supply should be increased in order to avoid the shortage of
work.
3. Sufficient intervals should be provided to the workers in order to increase
the efficiency and to develop their health.
4. The workers should also be provided with the basic amenities in the
industry.
5. The government should punish those cashew processors who do not
introduce welfare programmes such as healthy working conditions in the
industry and prompt the regular payment of bonus. At present 25% of the
wages paid to the laborers form the annual bonus. This system should be
changed with immediate effect.
6. The government should take some measures to confirm that weather the
minimum wages act is followed by the owners.
7. Advances to the workers should be increased.
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8. The government should take suitable steps to increase the saving behavior
of the workers.
9. The owners should take measures to improve the health and hygienic
conditions of the laborers in the factory.
10.“Employees State Insurance scheme” should also be introduced to the
workers in the cashew industries.
11.Since none of the units are providing gloves, it is suggested that the
management should provide gloves to the workers to protect their skins
and it will be a motivational factor to the workers.
The labour welfare officers should visit the factories regularly to confirm
that the workers are provided with the gloves and masks.
12.The system of payment should be changed from weekly wages to
monthly wages and the workers security should be assured throughout the
year.
13.Every industry must develop the medical and the ESI benefits.
14.Since most of the workers working in these industries are from poor
families, the financial assistance should be provided to the workers in the
form of high wages, medical allowances, Travelling expenses etc.,
15.The government and the local authorities’ welfare policies should be
extended to these workers to improve their future life.
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Conclusion:
Mostly, the women workers are coming for the job to develop their life
and meet the expenses of the children’s education. The unmarried female
workers are mainly working to meet their marriage expenses. Unfortunately
they are not much satisfied with their job. So under these circumstances the
government and the management should take necessary steps to solve the
problems of the factory workers. Both the central and the state governments
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should give proper attention towards these industries to protect these industries
and the workers.
The result of the study is highly beneficial to the cashew nut industries in
Kaliyal village, and is also useful for the other cashew nut industries in general
for improving their overall performance.