Garden Workers Research Articles

Political Orientation of Female Tea- Garden Workers: An analytical study of Cachar District, Assam

Political Orientation of Female Tea- Garden Workers: An analytical study of Cachar District, Assam

ANALYSIS OF THE EFFECTS OF WORKING POSITION ON MUSCLE FATIGUE DURING HEDGE PRUNING: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY BASED ON CHINESE GARDEN WORKERS

Occupational health is still in the developmental stage in China. There is a lack of focus on garden workers. Hedge pruning is one of garden workers’ main tasks, a common operation form in modern landscaping. Garden workers who operate the hedge trimmer generally suffer from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). This study aims to demonstrate which working condition causes the most muscle fatigue, evaluate work fatigue accurately, and reduce WMSDs in garden workers. One hundred and twenty garden workers were studied during six hedge pruning conditions using surface electromyography (sEMG) and a motion capture system. The sEMG of the erector spinae, trapezius, biceps brachii and brachioradialis muscle, and kinematic parameters was measured during the operation. The average standardized sEMG values of upper-limb and trunk muscles in different working conditions were analyzed using single-factor analysis of variance. In the six working conditions, the trunk inclination angle was the largest (40–50∘) in horizontal pruning of short hedges, and the load of erector spinae (39.31–39.62%) was the highest in this condition. Operators’ arms were above shoulder height in high hedge pruning, the shoulder joint angle and the elbow joint angle were generally larger, the load of trapezius (49.33–55.65%), biceps brachii (46.50–52.35%) and right brachioradialis (52.35%) was the highest in horizontal pruning of high hedges, and the load of left brachioradialis (40.91%) was the highest in vertical pruning of high hedges. Awkward working postures can lead to problems such as overwork of upper-limb and trunk muscles, representing a risk that increases occupational illness, injuries and chronic diseases among garden workers. Preventive measures are required to reduce the occurrence of excessive local muscle load, and prevent the occurrence of occupational diseases.

Quality of Life and Associated Determinants among Female Tea Garden Workers of Indigenous Communities in Sub-Himalayan West Bengal, India: A Cross- Sectional Mixed Methods

The purpose of this study was to examine the self-perceived quality of life (QOL) using World Health Organization quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument and associated controlling factors among socio-economically marginalized tribal female tea garden (TG) workers. A cross-sectional mixed-method research design involving both quantitative and qualitative techniques was employed on 378 study samples (18–60 years tribal female TG workers) between February and May 2022 across 10 TGs of Sub-Himalayan north Bengal, India. For the study, both summary statistics (mean, median, mode, standard deviation, and percentage distribution) and inferential statistics (Welch’s ANOVA, independent t-test, paired t-test and multivariate regression) were used to understand the dynamics of QOL and respondents narratives were facilitated to investigate the corresponding phenomenal scenario. Results: Findings indicate the QOL of the tribal female workers variably associated with different socioeconomic conditions and subjective well-being. The findings recommend that female tribal TG workers were perceived to have good ‘overall quality of life’ with a response rate of 33.1%, whereas more than 20% of participants respond that they were poor QOL on ‘overall quality of life’ and ‘general health’ items. The findings show lower summary statistics for most items in the environmental domain. Additionally, the study constructs a multivariate model that identifies several factors including socio-economy, neighbourhood, social relation, and others were significantly control the QOL of the study subjects. These outcomes may have important implications for future studies employing WHOQOL-BREF or similar instruments on different communities with distinctive sociocultural characteristics.

We Are Just Mazdoors! A Decolonial Ethnographic Account of Health Inequalities, and Inequities Among Tea Garden Laborers in Assam, India.

This article investigates the lived experiences of health inequalities and inequities among tea garden laborers in Assam, India. By employing decolonial ethnographic research, this study explored long-standing health inequalities and inequities in the tea industry and workers' illnesses and injuries due to inadequate occupational, environmental, and health care policies. Neither the state nor the management of the tea garden, according to the interviews, has taken the essential actions to safeguard the health and safety of the workers in tea gardens either during the pandemic or at any other time. Instead, hearing gaalis (verbal abuses) from babus (the tea garden managers) is a part of their everyday life. We argue that even after 7 decades of post-colonial rule, tea garden workers are subject to a ghettoized economy characterized by closure and control. Thus, we need to reexamine how the tea industry is structured in order to rectify existing health inequities.

Alcoholic Neuropathy and Its Impact among the Tea Garden Workers in the Golaghat District of Assam

Alcoholic Neuropathy and Its Impact among the Tea Garden Workers in the Golaghat District of Assam

Crafting a Gender Disparity Index to Unveiling the Tea Garden Workers’ Gender Dynamics

Gender dynamics significantly impact tea garden workers’ performance. A Gender Disparity Index (GDI) was developed for assessing gender differences within the tea plantation sector during 2022-23. The construction of GDI commenced with item analysis, employing the Likert’s Technique. A total of seven dimensions were included following the Harvard analytical and Moser frameworks of gender analysis. Based on the relevancy, t statistics, and content validity, five dimensions were kept in the index, namely, activity profile, influencing factors for differential roles, gender role identification, gender need assessment, and decision-making behaviour of tea garden workers. A universe of 92 items under five dimensions was prepared, and the relevancy of each item was judged by 56 experts; subsequently, 72 items were screened on which the responses of 60 workers of non sampled tea gardens were obtained and finally 68 items were selected under five dimensions of the index followed by testing of their content validity and reliability of the index. This GDI may be used as an effective instrument to unravel gender disparities in tea gardens and other similar plantations’ estate.

Current Scenario of Tea Garden Workers in Bangladesh: Time Demands to Stop the Zero-sum Game

The objective of this article is to highlight the latest phenomenon of tea garden laborers by outlining a dire picture of Bangladesh's tea industry. This article uses desk-based research and secondary data analysis to illustrate the current situation of Bangladeshi tea garden workers in the agro-business industry. To determine the real circumstances, the researchers studied several public interview quotes. It describes the current phenomenon of tea garden laborers to illustrate the inequality and injustice that exist in Bangladesh's agro-business sector. Researchers have discovered that because of their poor pay, the standard of living, and other rights, workers in tea gardens are less happy in the inflationary situation of Bangladesh. Researchers also discovered that both sides lacked accurate information. Researchers may get knowledge about the labor shortage in the tea sector, and professionals can gain knowledge about tea garden-related agro-business in Bangladesh. It is past time to go from a zero-sum game to a non-zero-sum game where everyone wins. For academics and practitioners, the results have significant implications.

The Stickiness of Tea Garden Workers’ Situation in Assam, India

Tea garden workers in Assam, India continue to face precarious living and working conditions which have led to recent protests by workers’ unions and student organisations in Assam. This study examines a survey of over 3,000 tea garden worker respondents in three locations across Assam to understand the material realities of these workers and their families. The authors employ a concept that they term ‘stickiness’, drawing on the work of James C. Scott (1976) and Anna Tsing (2005), to describe the theorised interplay between the living and working conditions of plantation life and the vulnerability of the workers. Empirical findings are organised and presented using descriptive statistics around problem areas that provide a broad understanding of the living and working conditions of tea garden workers in Assam. The study also identified a rise in trafficking amongst tea garden families. This study concludes with recommendations from the researchers and partner organisations, as well as intentions for future inquiry.

Impact of work-life balance on the wellbeing of employees in the tea gardens of Bodoland territorial region

Work-Life Balance as a major problem for employees in the tea garden workers community, whether in public or private life. Men and women both aspire for a balanced personal life and professional life. Assam's tea plantation sector encompasses many places and ranks first in the Indian economy. The study's goal is to look into the influence of work-life balance on employee happiness in the tea gardens of the Bodoland territorial region. The tea workers' quality of life has a considerable influence on the tea industry's smooth operations. Wage labor is the primary occupation of Tea Garden workers. The Tea Garden community's financial situation is not particularly good. The researcher defines the notion of work-life balance and discusses the tea garden workers' society's socio-cultural, vocational, and religious lives. The community of tea garden workers has formed a new socio-cultural identity & contributed to developing a new composite society. These cultural characteristics establish them as a separate community in new surroundings. The study looks at the lives of women who work in tea gardens in Assam & their social standing, and the key issues they face. In Assam's tea gardens, women workers make up most of the workforce.

Poverty, undernutrition and morbidity: The untold story of tea-garden workers of Alipurduar district, West Bengal.

ABSTRACTBackground:There is a paucity of information on health and nutritional status of tea-garden workers of West Bengal, which is crucial to meet their health needs by formulating appropriate public health interventions.Objectives/Aims:The objective of this study is to assess the morbidity pattern and nutritional status of tea-garden workers of West Bengal, India.Materials and Methods:The present cross-sectional study was conducted among 463 tea-garden workers of randomly selected three tea gardens of Alipurduar district of West Bengal, India, chosen by multi-stage sampling. Pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect information on socio-demographic and other variables by means of interview. Physical examination and anthropometric assessment were performed. The haemoglobin was estimated by the ‘filter paper cyanmethemoglobin method’. Morbidities were assessed on the basis of history, clinical examination, evaluation of medical records if any and relevant laboratory investigations and classified and coded as per the 10th revision of the international classification of the diseases. Morbidity profile and nutritional status were assessed through history taking, clinical examination, review of medical records if any, anthropometric assessment and laboratory investigations.Statistical Analysis:Simple proportion was used for interpretation of point prevalence. Chi-square test was applied as the test of significance wherever applicable.Results:Out of total 463 tea-garden workers, majorities (76%) were female and from backward social class (81.2%). More than half (55.9%) were illiterate and three-fourth (67.2%) belonged to lower income quartile. Anaemia was found widespread (87.9%) and more than one-third (36.1%) of the tea-garden workers were found undernourished. Also 43.8% of the workers had airway obstruction as measured by peak expiratory flow rate. Majority (69.8%) of the garden workers had any form of morbidity. Non-communicable diseases (24.2%), musculoskeletal disorders (17.9%), skin disorders (17.7%), respiratory morbidities (16.2%), febrile illness (12.3%), gastro-intestinal disorders (8.6%), ocular problems (8.4%), vitamin and micronutrients deficiencies were found the common morbidities among tea-garden workers. Scheduled tribe caste, undernutrition and anaemia were found independent determinants of any morbidity among the tea-garden workers.Conclusions:Morbidities, anaemia and under-nutrition were found very much prevalent among tea-garden workers of West Bengal, which necessitates urgent public health interventions through multi-disciplinary approach in a focussed manner with an aim to improve the overall quality of life of the tea-garden workers.

Prevalence of work-related musculoskeletal symptoms among tea garden workers in Bangladesh: a cross-sectional study

ObjectivesOccupational health is still in the developmental stage in Bangladesh. There is a lack of focus on agricultural workers. Statistics on musculoskeletal symptoms (MSS) of any occupational group can assist...

Contraceptive Methods Used by the Selective Rural Tea Garden Workers of Sylhet

Introduction: This study was focused on contraceptive methods used by the selective Tea garden workers of Sylhet. The aim was to explore the used of the contraceptive methods and factors influencing the use of the contraceptive methods along with socio-demographic profile of the tea garden workers. Materials and Methods: It was descriptive type of cross-sectional study carried out in some selective tea garden of Sylhet from July-December, 2020. 150 respondents were selected by purposive type of non-probability sampling method. Data were collected by a pretested mixed type questionnaire. Results: The study revealed that 90 (60%) of workers belonged to of 20-29 years age group. The mean age was 33.87 ± 8.97. Most of the respondents 104 (69.3%) were female, 117 (78%) were followers of Hinduism, 109 (72.7%) were illiterate, 136 (90.7%) were from the nuclear family and 129 (86%) were belonged to lower class. Majority of the workers 136 (90.7%) were using contraceptive methods, among them 78 (57%) were using injectable contraceptive but no one use permanent methods. Most of them used contraceptive methods for prevent unwanted pregnancy and reduced family expenditure that was 46 and 40 (34% and 29%). The survey assessed the positive association between use of contraceptive methods and sex, religion (p<0.05). Conclusion: Due to covid situation, the present study was conducted among only 150 respondents. Large scale survey is necessary to find out the exact pattern of contraceptive methods use throughout the tea garden workers. Medicine Today 2022 Vol.34(1): 79-82

Malnutrition and Anemia: A Health Burden among Tea Garden Workers in West Tripura District, Tripura, India

Introduction: The tea garden workers are an underestimated group of our society and are considered to be the most nutritionally vulnerable community. This study was undertaken to study the nutritional status of the male and female tea garden workers of West Tripura district, Tripura, India. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, a total of 409 tea garden workers including both sexes (males: 197; females: 212) of age group 18–60 years were selected. A questionnaire for on-ground data collection was administered along with the assessment of dietary intake and dietary quality, anthropometric data measurements, physiological measurements, hematological and biochemical estimation. Results: Most of the workers were vegetarian, and about two-thirds of the participants consumed two meals per day. None of the subjects was in the habit of taking packed lunch in routine, and maximum respondents (males: 84.26%; female: 83.96%) were in the habit of keeping fast. Skipping meals was also common in a vast number of the participants (males: 83.24%; females: 84.90%). A maximum number of participants complained of anorexia, headache, breathlessness on exertion, lethargic feeling, pale conjunctiva, pale skin, and flat nails. A very high prevalence of anemia (males: 94.91%; females: 99.04%) was observed among the workers. The present study also revealed dietary inadequacies, particularly regarding protein, energy, calcium, and all micronutrients (iron, β-carotene, folic acid) except vitamin C. A positive significant (P < 0.05) correlation was observed between hemoglobin and various daily dietary intakes of blood-forming nutrients. Conclusion: The present study reveals the prevalence of anemia among tea garden workers, especially female workers. Nutritional insufficiency might be one of the important factors in this process. This study suggests that a comprehensive public health policy should be developed so that the tea garden workers’ health and nutritional needs can be addressed.

Human Rights of The Tea Garden workers: A study on Hamidia Tea Estate

Human Rights of The Tea Garden workers: A study on Hamidia Tea Estate

Metagenomic outlooks of microbial dynamics influenced by organic manure in tea garden soils of North Bengal, India.

Soil microbial diversity consisted of both culturable and non-culturable microbes. The cultivated microbes can be identified by conventional microbiological processes. However, that is not possible for the non-culturable ones. In those cases, next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based metagenomics become useful. In this study, we targeted two very popular tea gardens of Darjeeling hills-Makaibari (Mak) and Castleton (Cas). The main difference between these two study areas is the type of manure they use. Mak is solely an organic tea garden using all organic manure and fertilizers whereas Cas uses inorganic pesticides and fertilizers. The main aim was to compare the effect of organic manure over chemical fertilizers on the soil microbiomes. We have performed the 16s metagenomics analysis based on the V3-V4 region. Downstream bioinformatics analysis including reverse ecology was performed. We found that the overall microbial diversity is higher in Mak compared to Cas. Moreover, the use of organic manure has reduced the population of pathogenic bacteria in Mak soil when compared to Cas soil. From the observations made through the metagenomics analysis of Mak and Cas soil samples, we may conclude that the application of organic manure supports the population of good bacteria in the soil which may eventually impact the tea garden workers' health.

Current Medicine for Allergy, Toxic Reaction, And Disease Caused by Arthropods


 
 
 
 Abstract
 Background: The presence of erusism and lepidopterism cases in Indonesia is influenced by butterfly species, regional conditions and community habits as farmers or garden workers. In addition, the population of house dust mites depends on several factors that are still being studied. Parasitological reviews of current treatments for insect disease are still poorly understood.
 Purpose: This article aims to review current treatments for allergies, toxic reactions, and insect-borne diseases.
 Methods: Recent literature search, obtained 11 relevant articles for review.
 Results: Local treatment due to contact with insects can be given a solution of iodine, corticosteroids and antihistamines. In severe cases, the drug can be given orally or parenterally.
 Conclusion: Based on the results of the review, it can be concluded that to treat airway attacks due to mite allergy, bronchodilators and corticosteroids can be given.
 
 
 

Financial Inclusion among Backward Communities: A Study of the Tea Garden Workers in Assam, India

Assam, a north-eastern state in India contributes the largest share in India’s total tea production. However, the workers in the tea gardens of the state are considered as one of the poor and marginalised sections of the population. The workers’ community has limited access to anti-poverty social security programmes and other social welfare schemes including formal financial services. Using primary data, this study examines the extent of financial inclusion among the tea garden workers in Assam. We study financial inclusion in terms of access to a bank account, credit and insurance. Our results reveal that financial inclusion among the workers has deepened considerably but not in all dimensions. We find education as an important determinant of financial inclusion among the tea garden workers in Assam. To make the process of financial inclusion among the tea garden workers more expeditious and comprehensive, specific initiatives towards delivering government-sponsored schemes are needed.

Olive Garden's Expansion Of Paid Sick Leave During COVID-19 Reduced The Share Of Employees Working While Sick.

The COVID-19 pandemic has focused public and policy attention on the acute lack of paid sick leave for service-sector workers in the United States. The lack of paid sick leave is potentially a threat not only to workers’ well-being but also to public health. However, the literature on the effects of paid sick leave in the US is surprisingly limited, in large part because instances of paid sick leave expansion are relatively uncommon. We exploit the fact that large firms in the US were not required to expand paid sick leave during the COVID-19 pandemic but that one casual dining restaurant in particular, Olive Garden, faced intense public pressure to do so. We drew on data collected from 2017 through fall 2020 from 10,306 food service–sector workers in the US by the Shift Project, which include employer identifiers. Using a difference-in-differences design, we found strong evidence of an increase in paid sick leave coverage among Olive Garden workers, as well as evidence that this expansion reduced the incidence of working while sick among front-line food service workers.

Structural changes, increased hypoxia, and oxidative DNA damage in placenta due to maternal smokeless tobacco use.

Smokeless tobacco (SLT) consumption during pregnancy is a well-recognized health risk that causes placental damage including hypoxia and oxidative damage. Although consumption of SLT by women varies from region to region, majority of tea leave pluckers consume SLT for relieving stress and pain. Still, the effects of SLT consumption have not been evaluated in tea garden workers (TGW). While previous studies have attempted to report effects of cigarette smoke using in vitro model, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α expression in human placentae from pregnant women exposed to SLT has not been previously studied. This study was aimed to explore the effects of SLT consumption on placental structure, expression of HIF-1α and oxidative DNA damage in sample population of TGW. A total of 51 placentae were collected from SLT users and nonusers (n=30 and 21, respectively) with full-term normal delivery, who were involved in the plucking of tea leaves during pregnancy in tea plantation. Low birth weight (LBW, i.e., weight <2,500 g) and normal birth weight (NBW) groups among both SLT user and nonuser were compared for the stated parameters. Placental tissues were processed for transmission electron microscopy (TEM) study and immunohistochemical analysis for the expression of HIF-1α and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG). Altered ultrastructural characteristics were observed in the tertiary villi of LBW group among SLT users which included endothelial cells protrusion into capillary lumen, degenerated nuclei, significant thickening of trophoblast basement membrane and vasculo-syncytial membrane, abnormalities of the microvilli, swollen or damaged mitochondria, and dilatation in endoplasmic reticulum cisternae. Furthermore, significant reduction in the perimeter, area, and number of the stromal capillary of the tertiary villi of placenta were found in LBW group as compared with NBW group from the SLT users. Enhanced expression for HIF-1α and oxidative DNA damage (8-OHdG) biomarker was observed in SLT users as compared with nonusers. Maternal SLT exposure during pregnancy may be associated with villus hypoxia and consequently oxidative DNA damage. It is presumed that deleterious effect of SLT exposure on placenta could result in impairment of placental barrier, and restrict nutrient and oxygen supply from mother to fetus, and thus could be a cause of fetal growth restriction.

Socioeconomic Status of Tea Garden Workers in Theni District of Tamil Nadu

ABSTRACT The study’s major goal is to determine the demographic profile and socioeconomic position of tea garden workers. The researcher used a descriptive survey method as well as stratified random sampling. One hundred and twenty tea garden workers were included as a sample for the study. The research technique for data collecting is a structured questionnaire. According to the research, forty-one percent of female workers and twenty-one percent of male workers are illiterate. The study also discovered that thirty-two percent and fifty-three percent of tea garden families cook with kerosene and firewood, respectively. According to the report, twelve percent of respondents do not have a savings bank account with any bank. According to the report, the government of India’s Adult Literacy Program, continuing education, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, and Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana initiatives may benefit all tea garden employees.