Socio-Economic Situations of Migrant Brick-Kilns Industrial Workers in Cuddalore District, Tamilnadu

Abstract

Background: India is the second largest brick producing country after China accounting for more than 15 per cent of global production. Approximately one lakh brick kilns are operating in India which employs more than four million workers. Most of the workers are migrants who belong to economically backward and underdeveloped regions of the country and normally hail from poor economic class and are mostly illiterate. Brick industry is one of the unorganized industrial sector and migrant brick kiln workers are not benefitted with adequate wage and medical facilities. In this context this paper addresses the “Socio-Economic Situations of Migrant Brick-kiln Industrial Workers in Cuddalore District of Tamilnadu”. Data and Method: The study uses the data from primary and secondary sources. The primary data of 120 samples collected from Keerapalayam Block, Cuddalore District of Tamilnadu. The brick kiln industrial works were scattered in Cuddalore district and more number of migrant workers engaged in brick industrial works particularly in Keerapalayam Block. So, the area of the study of the present research work was restricted to the keerapalayam block and this study focused only on migrant workers engaged in brick-kiln industry. Conclusion: Creation of employment opportunities and other essential facilities in the place of origin will help stopping migration and save family life value. The study may be suggested that the migrant brick-kiln industrial workers may be provided equal opportunities for their overall upliftment including education and career development of their children with the help of available and innovative workers welfare policies.