kannitakumari dis

International Journal of Trade & Commerce-IIARTC
July-December 2017, Volume 6, No. 2 pp. 655-672

© SGSR. (www.sgsrjournals.co.in) All rights reserved
UGC Approved Journal in Social Science Category; Journal No. 48636
COSMOS (Germany) JIF: 5.135; ISRA JIF: 4.816; NAAS Rating 3.55; ISI JIF: 3.721
A Socio Economic Analysis of Coir Workers in Kanyakumari

District
N. Indraa, T. Vijaya Kumarb

aDepartment of Commerce, Pioneer Kumaraswamy College, Nagercoil
bDepartment of Commerce, Annai Velankanni College, Tholayavattam 629157
Abstract
Indian coir industry is an important cottage industry contributing significantly to PAPER/ARTICLE INFO
the economy to the major coconut growing states and Union Territories. Coir RECEIVED ON: 10/10/2017
ACCEPTED ON: 11/11/2017
industry has to its credit a tradition and heritage of centuries. It is one of the few
rural or traditional industries converting the coconut husk, waste, into wealth.
This industry is the largest producer of coir, accounting for more than 80 percent Reference to this paper
of the world’s production of coir fibre. The development of this agro- based should be made as follows:
industry is a condition which should be satisfied for economic prosperity as it has
backward and forward linkages. One of the special characteristics of the coir
industry is that it provides to agricultural labourers. Over six lakh employers, of N. Indra, T. Vijaya Kumar
whom a majority are from rural area and economically weaker sections of the (2017), “A Socio Economic
sociality. Women contribute nearly 85 per cent of the work force and it remains as Analysis of Coir Workers in
a pet industry for them. Hence Coir Industry is generally considered a vehicle for Kanyakumari District”, Int. J.
the generation of productive employment and income for the rural poor. of Trade and Commerce-
The coir industry in Kanyakumari District was pastrol in nature and generated IIARTC, Vol. 6, No. 2, pp.
employment to the uneducated people in rural areas .The industry prevents 655-672
migration of the unemployed in search of greener pastures and offers scope to take
up trade individually at chores. Women could attend to their household chores and
put to use of leisure time available in spinning fibre or defibering or making ropes
with coconut husk, major raw material, which is available in plenty in
Kanyakumari District, where coconut is the second major plantation crop next to
rubber. There are more than 50,000 coir workers approximate. Since it has a
greater sense of wages for what they do, it does not count the time bound
engagement in work. This is also an easy task for anyone to have an entry into the
coir work. State Government and coir board have clustered together to strengthen
the involvement of the works. If this venture goes on the right track, the
involvement of the youth might be higher and more wage inflow for the coir
workers.
Key Words: Coir Industry, Coir workers, Coir Board, Co-Conut husk, Coir Co-
operative Society, Coir Fiber, Rubberized Coir.
*Corresponding Author
A Socio Economic Analysis of Coir Workers in Kanyakumari District
N. Indra, T. Vijaya Kumar
1. INTRODUCTION
The first coir factory was established in Alleppey in 1859 by James Darrah, an Ireland-born
American. It was the first of its kind and the Malabar Coast. Alleppey was known for its port and
allied commercial establishment where the chief industrial activity centered on coir weaving.
Since the waving of coir-mat and matting had no indigenous tradition on the Malabar Coast a
new labour force had to trained in this unknown art. Europeans gave the training. In Darragh's
coir manufacturing a number of Bengali workers trained the local workers. The success of this
first unit inspired many and brought more entrepreneurs in to the field and made the entire
region as coir-friendly. The coir industries that developed in Kerala from the late nineteenth
century. The pioneering firm of James Darnagh & Co. and Darngh Smail & Company had several
workers. The agro-based traditional rural industry, coir is spreading itself a fast tempo in the
southern parts of the country. Being strongly export-oriented from the very beginning, it has been
fetching foreign currency by offering more than 14 value added products for export. The windfall
opportunity offered by the global concern for the environment generated by the heat in the
industry as its products are totally bi-degradable and eco-friendly. In the changing scenario, any
study on this performing sector would be of immense help from a broader perspective. Coir is a
highly labor intensive industry. To study coir workers problems encountered by it. The present
study is based on analyzing the socio economic status of coir workers in the Kanyakumari district
in Particular and Tamil Nadu in general.
2. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
India being a land of villages with more than two- thirds of her population living in rural areas,
rural industrialization could play a key role in the country as it produces forward and backward
linkages in the rural economy. In this context the Rural Small-Scale Enterprises bases on local raw
materials, skills and technology have been identified as one of the key sectors in the country.
Among the rural small – scale industries, coir industry is the oldest agro- based rural industry,
which has got the attention of both the enterprising entrepreneurs’ and the government alike
today. However, in the present globalize scenario, like any other industry, Coir industry is also
prone to problems and constrains. Both at the state and at the national levels the problems like
inadequate finance to meet the growing cost of production, non-availability of raw material such
as coconut husk in the years with scanty rainfalls, obsolete production technology, difficulties in
the adoption of modern technology, labor scarcity during the harvesting periods of agricultural
crops, absence of an effective marketing system, lack of marketing infrastructure, concentration of
markets and demand in selected regions, production in only sunny days, irrational selection and
mismanagement of human resources in all its functional areas, environmental problems,
unhealthy competition between mechanized units and non- mechanized units and lastly the not –
so encouraging government support, apply brakes in the further growth of this sector in the
country. The industry is facing hurdles and problems in its functional area. Thus, the researcher
has done the socio-economic status of coir workers is Kanniyakumari District.
3. OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this paper are as follows:
 To study the demographic conditions of coir workers in Kanyakumari Districts.
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UGC (Ministry of HRD, Govt. of India)
Approved Journal in Social Science Category; Journal No. 48636
 To study the socio-economic status of coir workers in Kanyakumari Districts.

 To suggest measures to improve the conditions of coir workers in Kanyakumari Districts.
4. METHODOLOGY
The survey was conducted among 510 respondents with a structured interview schedule. During
the survey eight respondents declined to respond further in half way and four schedules were
found incomplete during the screening. Finally 498 samples were taken up for analysis and the
details regarding the socio-economic status of coir workers in Kanyakumari District.
5. DEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS
The details regarding the demographic factors of the respondents namely Age, Gender, Religion,
Community, Education, Income, Wages, Savings, Family, Benefits from Coir board and
Government etc are presented below:
5.1 Age Wise Classification
TABLE 1: AGE WISE CLASSIFICATION
AGE FREQUENCY PERCENT
20 Yrs to 30 Yrs 11 2.2
31 to 40 110 22.1
41 to 50 220 44.2
51 to 60 148 29.7
Above 60 9 1.8
Total 498 100.0
Source: primary data
It could be inferred from Table No.1 that majority of the respondents contributing 44.2% are from
the the age group of 41 to 50. The respondents under the age group from 51 to 60 make the second
major category with 148 respondents which contributes 29.7%. Only 9 respondents (1.8%) are
from above 60 age group. It could also be inferred that respondents with age from 36 to 60
contributes almost 3/4th of the work force.
5.2 Genderwise Classification
TABLE 2: GENDER WISE CLASSIFICATION
GENDER FREQUENCY PERCENT
Male 137 27.5
Female 361 72.5
Total 498 100.0
The analysis in Table No.2 shows that out of 498 respondents, 137 were male and 361 female
contributing to 27.5 percent and 72.5 percent of the total respectively. It is evident from the result
that majority of the respondents are women. It could be attributed to the factors like low wages
and low skill requirements. This should be seen in an important perspective that the coir industry
plays a major role in women empowerment by providing employment to them in huge share.
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5.3 Religion Wise Classification

TABLE 3: RELIGION
RELIGION FREQUENCY
PERCENT
Hindu 402 80.7
Christian 96 19.3
Total 498 100.0
It is observed from Table No.3 that out of that out of 498 respondents, 402 (80.7%) were Hindus
and 96 (19.3%) were Christians.
5.4 Community Wise Classification
TABLE 4: COMMUNITY WISE CLASSIFICATION
COMMUNITY FREQUENCY PERCENT
Forward Community 12 2.4
Backward Community 384 77.1
Most Backward Community 29 5.8
Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe 73 14.7
Total 498 100.0
It is evident from Table No.4 that the Backward Community with 384 respondents (77.1%) tops
the list.73 respondents (14.7%) belong to SC/ST category. It is notable that only 12 respondents
(2.4%) are from Forward Community.
5.5 Marital Status
TABLE 5: MARITAL STATUS
MARITAL STATUS FREQUENCY PERCENT
Married 470 94.4
Unmarried 28 5.6
Total 498 100.0
It could be inferred from Table No.5 that 94.4% of the respondents were married and only 5.6%
are unmarried.
5.6 Educational Qualification
TABLE 6: EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATION
QUALIFICATION FREQUENCY PERCENT
Illiterate 45 9.0
Primary School 39 7.8
Middle School 57 11.4
High School 351 70.5
HSC 4 .8
Above HSC 2 .4
Total 498 100.0
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The analysis in Table No.6 shows that majority of the respondents contributing 70.5% have High
School education, followed by those having studied middle school with 11.4%. It is notable that
45 respondents are illiterate. Those who have crossed HSC is only 6 with 1.2%. It could also be
inferred that a huge share with 91 % of the respondents are literates. Another perspective shall be
that this industry provides employment to illiterates reasonably.
5.7 TYPE OF FAMILY
TABLE 7: TYPE OF FAMILY
TYPE OF FAMILY FREQUENCY PERCENT
Nuclear 17 3.4
Joint Family 479 96.2
Single 2 .4
Total 498 100.0
It is observed from Table No. 7 that out of 498 respondents a clear majority with 96.2% of the
respondents are living in a Joint Family. This could be attributed to the factor that major portion
of the industry is located in rural (Panchayat) and transitional (Town panchayat) area.
5.8 SIZE OF FAMILY
TABLE 8: SIZE OF FAMILY
SIZE OF FAMILY FREQUENCY PERCENT
1-2 56 11.2
3-4 321 64.5
Above 4 121 24.3
Total 498 100.0
Table No.8 explains that 321 respondents are having 3-4 members in their family followed by 121
respondents having more than 4 members and contributes 64.5% and 24.3% respectively. Similar
to type of family, this could also be attributed to the factor that major portion of the industry is
located in rural (Panchayat) and transitional (Town panchayat) area.
5.9 LOCAL AUTHORITY
TABLE 9: LOCAL AUTHORITY
LOCAL GOVERNMENT FREQUENCY PERCENT
Village Panchayat 185 37.1
Town Panchayat 278 55.8
Selection Grade 9 1.8
Municipality 26 5.2
Total 498 100.0
It could be inferred from Table No.9 that major portion of respondents are from Town Panchayat
(55.8 %) followed by Village panchayat (37.1%). Panchayat area is rural in nature whereas Town
panchayat is presently under transition from rural to urban. The observation vividly indicates
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that 93% of the respondents are from rural background. Thus, the industry gains importance in
the aspect of providing rural employment.
5.10 Taluk
TABLE 10: TALUK
TALUK FREQUENCY
PERCENT
Agasteeswaram 171
34.3
Thovalai 50
10.0
Vilavancode 123
24.7
Kalkulam 154
30.9
Total 498
100.0
The analysis in Table No.10 shows that the respondents spread out among 3 of 4 taluks namely
Agasteeswarm (34%), Vilavancode (24.7%) and Kalkulam (30.9%). Only the Thovalai Taluk lacks
its contribution with 10% of the respondents.
5.11 Process of Coir Industry
TABLE 11: PROCESS OF COIR INDUSTRY
PROCESS IN THE INDUSTRY FREQUENCY PERCENT
Spinning 167 33.5
Pitch brick 11 2.2
Fibre Extraction 203 40.8
Retting 23 4.6
Rope making 21 4.2
Fibre dying 73 14.7
Total 498 100.0
It is observed from Table No.11 that among 498 respondents 40.8% are working in Pitch bricking
followed by Spinning with 33.5% and Fibre dying with 14.7%. All other fields contribute 11% of
the total respondents.
5.12 Level of Mechanisazion
TABLE 12: LEVEL OF MECHANISAZION
LEVEL OF MECHANISAZION FREQUENCY PERCENT
Fully mechanized 32 6.4
Partially mechanized 157 31.5
Manual 309 62.0
Total 498 100.0
Table No.12 explains that the 62% of respondents are working in Manual process and 31% of
respondents are working in Partially mechanized industry. Only 6.4% are working in Fully
mechanized environment. It could be observed that the industry still under the transition to
mechanization and providing employment to persons only with basic skill sets.
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5.13 Average Wages Per Day

TABLE 13: AVERAGE WAGES PER DAY
AVERAGE WAGES PER DAY FREQUENCY PERCENT
Upto Rs.150 72 14.5
Rs.150 to Rs.250 92 18.5
Rs.250 to Rs.350 151 30.3
Rs.350 to Rs.450 132 26.5
Above Rs.450 51 10.2
Total 498 100.0
It could be inferred from Table No.13 that 30.3% of the respondents are paid Rs.25 to Rs.350 per
day as average wages and 26.5% of the respondents are paid with Rs.350 to Rs.450. Only 10.2% of
respondents are getting Above Rs.450. It is noteworthy that the most of the respondents are
Women, with Rural background and either unskilled or semiskilled.
5.14 Distance from Residence
TABLE 14: DISTANCE FROM RESIDENCE
DISTANCE FROM RESIDENCE FREQUENCY PERCENT
Within 1 KM 164 32.9
Within 1KM to 2 KM 206 41.4
Within 2 KM to 3 KM 110 22.1
Above 3 KM 18 3.6
Total 498 100.0
The analysis in Table No.14 shows that 41.4% of respondents reside within 1Km to 2Km from the
workplace. 32.9% of respondents travel less than 1 Km to reach their workplace. Only 3.6 % travel
more than 3 Km.
5.15 Transport Facilities
TABLE 15: TRANSPORT FACILITIES
TRANSPORT FREQUENCY PERCENT
Available 23 4.6
Unavailable 475 95.4
Total 498 100.0
It is observed from Table No.15 that only 4.6% of respondents are connected to their workplace by
any mode of transport remaining 95.4% of respondents have to reach their workplace on their
own.
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5.16 Factor of Motivation

TABLE 16: FACTOR OF MOTIVATION
FACTOR OF MOTIVATION FREQUENCY PERCENT
Nearest to home 220 44.2
Posses the skill 147 29.5
Ancestral work 50 10.0
Lack of other employment 20 4.0
Regular income 61 12.2
Total 498 100.0
Table No.16 explains that 44.2% of respondents preferred this job due to proximity and 29.5% of
respondents point out the the skill set matching as the reason to choose this job. The other factors
are Regular income (12.2%), Ancestral work (10%) and Lack of other employment (4%).
5.17 Nature of Work
TABLE 17: NATURE OF WORK
NATURE OF WORK FREQUENCY PERCENT
Part time 13 2.6
Full time 485 97.4
Total 498 100.0
It could be inferred from Table No.17 that 97.4% were working in Full time mode and 2.6% of
respondents were Part time workers.
5.18 Experience
TABLE 18: EXPERIENCE
EXPERIENCE FREQUENCY
PERCENT
Upto 5 years 18 3.6
6 to 10 Years 100 20.1
11 to 15 Years 217 43.6
16 to 20 Years 144 28.9
Above 20 Years 19 3.8
Total 498 100.0
The analysis in Table No.18 shows that 43.6% of respondents have 11 to 15 years of experience.
28.9% of respondents have 16 to 20 years of experience. 20.1% of respondents have 6 to 10 years of
experience. Only 3.6% of respondents have less than 5 years of experience.
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5.19 Working Hours

TABLE 19: WORKING HOURS
WORKING HOURS FREQUENCY PERCENT
Upto 8 Hrs 35 7.0
8 Hrs to 10 Hrs 431 86.5
Above 10 Hrs 32 6.4
Total 498 100.0
It is observed from Table No.19 that 86.5 of respondents have 8 to 10 working hours. 7% of
respondents works up to 7 hours per day and 6.4% of respondents have more than 10 working
hours daily.
5.20 No. of Working Days Per Month
TABLE 20: NO. OF WORKING DAYS PER MONTH
NO.OF WORKING DAYS PER MONTH FREQUENCY PERCENT
Upto 20 days 6 1.2
20 to 25 days 488 98.0
Above 25 days 4 .8
Total 498 100.0
Table No.20 explains that 98 % of respondents have 20 to 25 working days per month. Only 1.2%
has up to 20 working days and 0.8% have above 25 working days.
5.21 Form of Organization
TABLE 21: FORM OF ORGANIZATION
FORM OF ORGANIZATION FREQUENCY PERCENT
Sole proprietor 465 93.4
Partnership 7 1.4
Cooperative 23 4.6
SHG 3 .6
Total 498 100.0
It could be inferred from Table No.21 that 93.4% of respondents are working in firms run by Sole
proprietor. The other ownerships are 4.6% by Cooperative, 1.4% by Partnership and 0.6% by
SHG.
5.22 No. of Members from Each Family
TABLE 22: NO. OF MEMBERS FROM EACH FAMILY
NO. OF MEMBERS FREQUENCY PERCENT
1 179 35.9
2 263 52.8
Above 2 56 11.2
Total 498 100.0
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The analysis in Table No.22 shows that 52.8% respondents have two members in their family
employed in Coir industry. For 35.9% respondents, only the respondent is working in coir
industry. 11.2% of respondents have more than 2 members in their family employed in coir
industry.
5.23 Acceptance for Other Job
TABLE 23: ACCEPTANCE FOR OTHER JOB
ACCEPTANCE FREQUENCY PERCENT
Yes 8 1.6
No 490 98.4
Total 498 100.0
It is observed from Table No. 23 that 98.4% of respondents are not willing to accept other job and
only 1.6% are willing to switch over from coir industry.
5.24 Type of House
TABLE 24: TYPE OF HOUSE
TYPE OF HOUSE FREQUENCY PERCENT
Thatched 97 19.5
Tiles 97 19.5
Sheet 154 30.9
Terrace 146 29.3
Others 4 .8
Total 498 100.0
Table No.24 explains that 30.9% of respondents reside in sheet roofed house. 29.3% respondents
live in Terraced house. Respondents both live in Thatched house and Tiled house equally
contribute to 19.5% each.
5.25 Ownership of House
TABLE 25: OWNERSHIP OF HOUSE
OWNERSHIP OF HOUSE FREQUENCY PERCENT
Own 333 66.9
Rented 156 31.3
Government land 9 1.8
Total 498 100.0
It could be inferred from Table No.25 that 66.9% of the respondents have own their house and
31.3% live in rented house. Only 1.8% of the respondents occupy the Government land for
housing.
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5.26 Drinking Water Facility

TABLE 26: DRINKING WATER FACILITY
DRINKING WATER FACILITY FREQUENCY PERCENT
Public Tank 141 28.3
Private Tank 62 12.4
Public wells 236 47.4
Private wells 50 10.0
Public taps 9 1.8
Total 498 100.0
The analysis in Table No.26 shows that Public wells serve the needs 47.4% of the respondents
whereas 28.3% of the respondents depend on Public Tank and 12.4% on Private Tank. Private
Wells and Public taps fulfill the needs of 10% and 1.8% respectively.
5.27 Medical Facilities
TABLE 27: MEDICAL FACILITIES
MEDICAL FACILITIES FREQUENCY PERCENT
Government Hospital 309 62.0
Private Hospital 84 16.9
Clinics 67 13.5
ESI Hospital 38 7.6
Total 498 100.0
It is observed from Table No.27 that Government hospital is the major source of medical care for
62% of the respondents. 16.9% of the respondents depend on Private Hospital and 13.5% on
Clinics. ESI hospitals serve only 7.6% of the respondents.
5.28 Availability of Education Facilities
TABLE 28: AVAILABILITY OF EDUCATION FACILITIES
EDUCATION FACILITIES FREQUENCY PERCENT
Primary School 480 96.4
Middle School 478 95.9
High School 468 93.9
Higher Secondary School 365 73.3
Higher Education Institutions 12 2.4
Table No.28 explains that 96.4% of respondents have Primary Schools, 95.9% have Middle School,
93.9% have High School, 73.3% have Higher Secondary Schools and only 2.4% respondents have
Higher Education Institutions in their area.
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5.29 Awareness Regarding Benefits

TABLE 29: AWARENESS REGARDING BENEFITS
AWARENESS FREQUENCY PERCENT
Coir Board 69 13.9
Government 353 83.3
Employer 347 97.2
Not aware about all the 3 14 2.8
It could be inferred from Table No.29 that 97.2% of respondents are aware about the benefits
offered by their employer. 83.3% are aware about the Government benefits. 2.8% of respondents
are not at all aware of these schemes.
5.30. Employee Benefits and Perks
TABLE 30: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS AND PERKS
BENEFITS AND PERKS FREQUENCY PERCENT
Bonus 87 17.5
Incentive 2 0.4
Loans and Advances 185 37.1
Increment 44 8.8
Leave facility 173 34.7
Insurance 128 25.7
Scholarships to children 20 4.0
Financial assistance 20 4.0
Provident Fund Facility 76 15.3
The analysis in Table No.30 shows that 37.1% of the respondents get loans and advances and
34.7% of respondents are provided with leave facility. 25.7% of respondents receive Insurance
benefits. 17.5% respondents are paid bonus. Only 0.4% respondents received incentive.
5.31 Bonus
TABLE 31: BONUS
BONUS AMOUNT FREQUENCY PERCENT
Up to Rs.3000 21 24.1
Rs.3000 to Rs.6000 28 32.2
Rs.6000 to Rs.9000 8 9.2
Above Rs.9000 30 34.5
Total 87 100.00
It is observed from Table No.31 that among 87 respondents who receive bonus, 34.5% of
respondents receive Above 9000 as bonus, 32.2% receive bonus of Rs.3000 to Rs.6000, 24.1%
receive up to Rs.3000 and only 9.2% receive Rs.6000 to Rs.6000.
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5.32 Loan/Advance
TABLE 32: LOAN/ADVANCE
LOAN/ADVANCE AMOUNT FREQUENCY PERCENT
Up to Rs.2500 80 43.24
Rs.2500 to Rs.5000 29 15.68
Rs.5000 to Rs.7500 4 2.16
Rs.7500 to Rs.10000 1 0.54
Rs.10000 to Rs.12500 7 3.78
Above Rs.12500 64 34.59
Total 185 100.00
Table No.32 explains that among the 37.1% of total respondents who receive loans and advances
43.24% receive loans and advances upto Rs.2500, 34.59% receive Rs.12500 and 15.68% receive
Rs.2500 to Rs.5000.
5.33 Income from Other Sources
TABLE 33: INCOME FROM OTHER SOURCES
INCOME FROM OTHER SOURCES FREQUENCY PERCENT
Agriculture 399 80.1
Money lending 6 1.2
Farm housing 4 .8
Rental income 2 .4
Business income 3 .6
No income from other sources 84 16.9
Total 498 100.0
It could be inferred from Table No.33 that apart from salary from coir industry 80.1% of
respondents have agricultural income and 16.9% of respondents have no income from other
sources. It could be interpreted that due to the limited income as salary from coir industry
majority of the respondents depend on other income for survival.
5.34 No. of Earning Members
TABLE 34: NO. OF EARNING MEMBERS
NO. OF EARNING MEMBERS FREQUENCY PERCENT
1 122 24.5
2 342 68.7
3 32 6.4
4 2 .4
Total 498 100.0
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The analysis in Table No.34 shows that 68.7% respondents have 2 earning members in the family
and 24.5% respondents have only one earning member in their family. Owing to the limited
income from coir industry, majority of the respondent’s family run on income from two earning
members.
5.35 Monthly Expenses
TABLE 35: MONTHLY EXPENSES
MONTHLY EXPENSES FREQUENCY PERCENT
Up to Rs.5000 323 64.9
Rs.5000 to Rs.10000 146 29.3
Rs.10000 to Rs.15000 27 5.4
Above 15000 2 .4
Total 498 100.0
It is observed from Table No.35 that 64.9% of the respondents make their monthly budget within
Rs.5000 whereas 29.3% respondents have their family expenses within Rs.5000 to Rs.10000. In
total nearly 95% of the respondents keep their monthly expenses below Rs.10000.
5.36 Monthly Savings
TABLE 36: MONTHLY SAVINGS
MONTHLY SAVINGS FREQUENCY PERCENT
Up to Rs.1000 282 56.6
Rs.1000 to Rs.2000 191 38.4
Rs.2000 to Rs.3000 25 5.0
Total 498 100.0
Table No.36 explains that 56.6% of the respondents have monthly savings up to Rs.1000, 38.4%
respondents save Rs.1000 to Rs.2000 only 5% save more than Rs.2000 per month. But it is
noteworthy to see the saving habit even with reasonably low income.
5.37 Sources of Debt
TABLE 37: SOURCES OF DEBT
SOURCES OF DEBT FREQUENCY PERCENT
Bank 108 21.7
Post office 50 10.0
Money lenders 63 12.7
Friends 217 43.6
Relatives 16 3.2
Others 44 8.8
Total 498 100.0
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It could be inferred from Table No.37 that 43.6% of respondents depend on friends to meet their
emergency needs through debts, 21.7% go to banks for loan, 12.7% of respondents find no way
except to go to the money lenders. It is pertinent to note that except Banks and Post offices around
70% of the respondents depend on informal sources of debt.
5.38 Salary Payment System
TABLE 38: SALARY PAYMENT SYSTEM
SALARY PAYMENT SYSTEM FREQUENCY PERCENT
Piece rate 238 47.8
Daily basis 59 11.8
Weekly basis 90 18.1
Monthly basis 106 21.3
Others 5 1.0
Total 498 100.0
The analysis in Table No.38 shows that 47.8% respondents receive their wages in the form of Piece
rate system, 21.3% of respondents receive monthly salary and 18.1% receive their wages on
weekly basis.
5.39 Illness
TABLE 39: ILLNESS
Illness Frequency Percent
Allergy 70 14.1
Backpain 163 32.7
Cough 88 17.7
Skin diseases 83 16.7
Asthma 32 6.4
Chest pain 14 2.8
Bronchitis 10 2.0
Arthritis 10 2.0
No illness 28 5.6
Total 498 100.0
Table No.39 explains that back pain is the major illness suffered by 32.7% of the respondents
followed by Cough, Skin Diseases and Allergy with 17.7%, 16.7% and 14.1% respondents. It may
be understood that except the back pain all other major illness are related to the causes of
allergens which are inherent part of coir industry.
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5.40 Amenities
TABLE 40: AMENITIES
Amenities Frequency Percent
Ventilation 425 85.3
Safety dress 395 79.3
Drinking water 420 84.3
Waiting shed 417 83.7
Toiletry facility 415 83.3
It could be inferred from Table No.40 that the almost 80% of workers are provided with basic
amenities namely Ventilation, Safety dress, Drinking Water, Waiting Shed and Toiletry facility
with 85.3%, 79.3%, 84.3%, 83.7% and 83.3% respectively.
5.41 Overall Satisfaction
TABLE 41: OVERALL SATISFACTION
OVERALL SATISFACTION FREQUENCY PERCENT
Highly Satisfied 63 12.7
Satisfied 106 21.3
Moderately satisfied 160 32.1
Dissatisfied 101 20.3
Highly Dissatisfied 68 13.7
Total 498 100.0
The analysis in Table No.41 shows that 32.1% of the respondents are moderately satisfied with
their job, 21.3% of respondents are satisfied and 20.3% of the respondents are dissatisfied. It is
also observed that 13.7% of the respondents are highly dissatisfied and 12.7% respondents are
highly satisfied.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
FINDING
 A maximum of (44.2 percent) of the coir workers belongs to the age group of 41 – 50 years.
 Coir industry gives a major contribution (72.5 percent) towards women employment.
 Coir workers from backward community take up this work interestingly. It accounts 77
percent.
 Almost all (94.4 percent) of the workers are married.
 A majority of 70.5 percent of the workers have studied up to S.S.L.C.
 Most of the workers (96.2 percent) belong to joint family.
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 Workers from Agasteeswaram Taluk constitute 34.3 percent which is more than all other 3
taluks.
 Out of six processes, the process known as fiber extraction accounts a majority of 40.8 percent
 Regarding mechanization only 6.4 percent of the industry is fully mechanized.
 Thirty percent of the workers get a daily wage of Rs.250 to 350.
 A maximum of 97 percent of the workers get employment on full time basis.
 Ninety eight percent of the workers get work of 20 to 25 days in a month.
 Only 7.6 percent of the workers get the medical facilities from ESI hospital.
 Thirty four percent of the workers get an average bonus of Rs.9,000 and more.
 Agriculture income is another source of income for the workers of 80 percent.
 Sixty five percent of the respondent have a monthly expenses of Rs.5, 000 and below and their
monthly saving is maximum up to Rs.1,000 that is average 56.6 percent workers.
 Work related illness is common in Coir Industry but a maximum of 32.7 percent of the
workers have affected by the back pain.
 Regarding the satisfaction of work only 32.1 percent of them have moderately satisfied with
their job.
SUGGESTIONS
 More training facilities should be given by the Coir Board at frequent intervals to inculcate
the mind of the youth to take up this job.
 The government should come forward to establish a minimum wage for coir related works.
 The only raw material is coconut husk, hence the government should take special care to
increase the coconut plantation in Kanyakumari Districts.
 More awareness should be given to the public regarding the benefits of Coir Industry.
 The government should take necessary steps to increase the export potentialities of Coir
related works.
CONCLUSION
The Coir Industry in Kanyakumari District dives employment opportunities for more than 50,000
people especially women both directly and indirectly. The women working in Coir Industry also
feel that the empowerment due to this job. The export potentialities of Coir Industry are also more
in Kanyakumari District. Hence, if the government satisfies the above mentioned suggestions, the
production also increases, their economic conditions also definitely increase.
REFERENCES
[1]. Bhaskaran Unnithan, K. (1970), “Coir Industry in India with special reference to Marketing
and Trade”,Coir Board,Kochi.
[2]. Bhatia, K.L. and Kewal Khanna, (1998), ”Export Management”, Raj Publishing House,
Jaipur.
[3]. Chiilar Mohamed P. (2004), “Sickness in Coir Industries in Tamil Nadu: A Scenario”,
Southern Economist,Vol. 43, No.5.
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[4]. Coir Board, (1979), “India’s Production Exports and Internal Consumption”,Coir
House,Kochi
[5]. Coir Board, (2005), Fifty First Annual Report, Kochi.
[6]. Jeya Balaji J, (1989), “An Economic study of the Coir Industry in Kanyakumari District”,
Unpublished Ph. D Thesis submitted to Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai.
[7]. Krishnan Kutty Nair, (1979), “Coir Industry”, Coir News, October.
[8]. Manikandan Pillai, (1998), “ Model Coir Village Care for Coir Workers”, Coir News,Vol.
XXVII, Jul
[9]. Soundarapandian, M. and Jagadees Pandi, S. (2002), “Small Scale Industries – Prospects
and Problems of Coir Industry”, Concept Publishing Company, New Delhi.
[10]. The Hindu, Madurai, Tamil Nadu dated, Sep 10,2005..
WEBSITES
[1]. www.tn.gov.in.com
[2]. www.coirindia.org
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International Journal of Trade & Commerce-IIARTC

July-December 2017, Volume 6, No. 2 pp. 655-672

A Socio Economic Analysis of Coir Workers in Kanyakumari

N. Indraa, T. Vijaya Kumarb

 To study the socio-economic status of coir workers in Kanyakumari Districts.

5.3 Religion Wise Classification

5.13 Average Wages Per Day

5.16 Factor of Motivation

5.19 Working Hours

5.26 Drinking Water Facility

5.29 Awareness Regarding Benefits

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