The occupational illness of slum dwellers across industries: A case study in West Bengal

Abstract

Better livelihood of the slum dwellers necessitates analyzing the health status of the primary industrial earners upon whom the needs of the whole family rely. Studies concerned with the slum dwellers lack in addressing the occupational health of their primary earners who opt for various risky industrial occupations. The present study makes an empirical attempt in understanding the nature and extent of their occupational illness across the industries. The industries in the present study are categorized into four types, viz., civil and mechanical, textile, consumable items, and chemical. A multi-stage random sampling technique is used to collect the primary data from 320 industrial workers living in the slums of the Indian state West Bengal through face to face interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The determinants of the nature of occupational illness are analyzed with an ordered Logit model. The chronic illness like respiratory diseases are prevalent among the workers of jute textile industries, and musculoskeletal disorders are found mostly among the workers of small garment and consumable items industries. The prevalence of occupational injuries is common among the workers of the civil-mechanical and chemical industries. The difference in the Out-of-Pocket Health Expenditure (OOPE) between doctor's consultation and consumption of Over the Counter (OTC) drugs of the industrial workers might prevent the workers from having a doctor's consultation in the long run. The provision and implementation of proper health scheme based on the exposure to health risks of the primary earners of slum household in the industries are suggested.