This article examines the condition of women workers in the mica industry of Giridih District, Jharkhand, India. The study shows that the decline of the mica industry led to informalisaton of work, that trade unions have not been able to improve working conditions at all or press for better wages for women workers relative to men. I argue that strong patriarchal values among union leaders have been a major factor in their neglect of women workers in this industry.
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