Workplace gender discrimination among curing workers of India

Abstract

This research paper explored the issue of gender discrimination in workforce in the coffee curing and manufacturing sector of India based on unit level data that was collected from Employment-Unemployment Survey (2011-2012) conducted by National Sample Survey Office (NSSO). The findings paradoxically reflected masculine nature of coffee industry despite relatively higher percentage of female workers in coffee curing industry (34%) compared to national average of 25.51% (Census of India, 2011). Following National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganised Sector definition of formal sector consisting of all unincorporated private enterprises owned by individuals or households with less than ten workers, only 50% of male workers belonged to formal sector while no female worker belonged to formal sector while only 31% of male workers and no female worker were entitled to social security benefits. The appalling condition of female workers was evident from female to male wage ratio, it was 0.43. Introduction of automation and absence of trade union had resulted in minimal presence of female workers that in turn had increased helplessness of female workers in the coffee curing sector.