Burnt out: Cracker workers await relief

The plight of firecracker industry workers in Virudhunagar district’s Sivakasi has worsened, even as uncertainty continues to prevail over the reopening of the closed units.

A mainstay of the local economy, the industry was given a jolt by the Supreme Court last October, when it passed a direction insisting on the manufacture of ‘green crackers’ without using Barium Nitrate, an indispensable chemical substance. Unable to comply with the new regulation, manufacturers shut down the units for an indefinite period from November.

Around six lakh workers are directly dependent on the industry for their livelihood, while another two lakh persons are indirectly benefited by it. With no relief in sight, scores of workers, who had been rendered jobless after production came to a halt, are finding it difficult to make their ends meet.

Unemployment rates soar in town, claim locals

According to V N Jothimani (67), who has 18 years of experience in this industry, unemployment in Sivakasi has reached unprecedented levels. “The affected workers are struggling to earn their livelihood as they can hardly find an alternative source of employment,” he said, adding that other jobs tend to be physically taxing for him and offer low wages as well.

Saravanan (44), another worker from Vishwanatham village, considered various other options, including working in a private company, hotels and tea shops.

“Since the local economy is not thriving following the closure of cracker units, owners of these establishments were reluctant to offer jobs,” he said, adding that survival remains a challenge.

Vasuki, the breadwinner of her family, decided to leave the firecracker industry even when it was productive and got a job in a unit which made calendars. “However, the printing industry, which is the other major source of employment in the district, is in a sorry state of affairs now. Despite working for nine hours from 9 am, I only earn a daily wage of Rs 140,” she said.

Money-lenders exploit the situation

Compelled by the situation, which has only been getting worse, some workers opted for construction work. However, they were paid less than the regular amount. While a minimum daily wage of around Rs 600 is normally paid to a construction worker, it has now drastically dropped to Rs 200.

In desperate need for financial assistance, the workers claim they have been ignored by the firecracker manufacturers during this period of crisis.

“Money lenders have now become the most sought-after persons. Workers are forced to borrow money at a high rate of interest,” said Jothimani.

Seven members of Murugan’s family, including himself, relied on the industry. But he has been hit by the downturn.

“I am not able to borrow money to put up a roadside shop ahead of Panguni Pongal Thiruvizha, which falls on February 5. I was hoping to utilise the money thus gained to buy rice for feeding my family,” he said.

Stating that he is unable to repay a loan of Rs 30,000 secured to start a small business, Murugan said: “I have been depending on my wife, who is a member of a self-help group. Since agriculture is not that flourishing, chances of finding farm work are remote. Entering the printing industry is difficult as it desires skilled workers.”

Without a job, Arumugathai said paying her house rent of Rs 700 has become an uphill task. “The demand for PDS rice has shot up as we prefer it over buying the same from outside. We are grateful that the government provides hundred units of free electricity. Otherwise, there wouldn’t have been any relief for us,” she said.

Narrating her ordeal, Parvathi said her husband joined the security staff of a private company after losing his job in a cracker unit. “He sought an alternative job only to take care of the school fees of our children, who are in Class 8 and 5 respectively,” Parvathi said.

Having taken part in various unsuccessful agitations, aimed at bringing attention to their plight, the affected workers fervently hope the Supreme Court soon grants them a fresh lease of life by modifying its order.