Women Workers in the Brick Kiln Industry in Haryana,India

Abstract

A vast majority of the country’s workforce is in the unorganised sector, and consequently unprotected. In the absence of economic opportunities where they live, many migrate across the states of India to seek casual employment. Brick production depends almost entirely on migrant workers, half of whom are women. This paper looks into the socio-economic status of women workers in the brick industry of Haryana and underlines the fact that these workers have a very tough life. While bearing and rearing children remains their primary responsibility, they are invariably involved in economic activities for survival, thus playing roles in both production and reproduction.