Indian Workers Research Articles

Retaining Chinese Indentured Labour in Interwar British and French Pacific colonies

ABSTRACT British attempts to reform or close down the indentured labour system as it applied to Chinese labourers across the British empire were carried out on an ad hoc basis, one colony at a time. In the southwest Pacific islands indentured labour recruitment was retained into the 1930s and beyond. Between 1920 and 1953 thousands of Chinese workers suffered under penal clauses for labour offences and endured harsh conditions on contracts that often extended beyond five years. This article investigates the means by which colonial authorities in Hong Kong and the southwest Pacific were able to maintain the indentured labour system despite the British Colonial Office preference for abolition. It compares government correspondence, labour contracts and ordinances from Nauru under British-Australian mandate, Western Samoa under New Zealand mandate, and the Anglo-French Condominium of New Hebrides (Vanuatu). It demonstrates that Chinese indentured labourers were retained with only minor changes to their contracts, put in place for the most part so that colonial administrators could avoid national and international censure.

From South Africa to the World: The Political and Legal Legacies of Chinese Indenture in the Transvaal

ABSTRACT This article examines the term ‘new slavery’, short for ‘a new form of slavery’, as used by Liberal British Parliament members and white South African trade unionists in opposition to the recruitment of Chinese indentured labourers to work in the Transvaal gold mines. The recruitment of Chinese indentured labourers emerged following the South Africa War (1899-1902) in response to African ‘native’ labourers’ refusal to return to the mines. This article explores how the Transvaal’s distinct indentured labour system, characterized by coercive features akin to those in the Indian indentured labour system, and further defined by mandatory repatriation, fines for assisting labourers in contract violation and the establishment of a Chinese consulate for fair treatment, set a precedent for global labour programmes. These specific conditions of the Transvaal system influenced the development of subsequent labour initiatives, particularly the Chinese Labour Corps during World War I. The article provides an overview of the overlaps between these programmes and highlights the enduring impact of the Transvaal system on the evolution of global labour practices including modern guest worker programmes.

Chinese Perspectives on Chinese Indentured Labourers during the First World War

ABSTRACT This article explores Chinese perspectives on the indenturing of Chinese labourers during the First World War and Chinese official intervention in the indenture system. In contrast to the Qing government’s reluctance to send people overseas, the Republican government formed in Peking in 1912 believed in integration into the international capitalist system, and that indentured Chinese labourers working abroad would benefit the country and its people. The government sought to regulate indentures to prevent the recruitment of labourers by rogue agents and to establish new standards for the indenturing system. To some extent this arrangement reflected the characteristics of a new system under which the labourer was relatively free. The popular press was the main vehicle through which the Chinese reading public constructed their perceptions of the indenture system. The terrible conditions endured by Chinese labourers in Russia was portrayed in newspapers as a consequence of the fraudulent practices of Chinese recruiting agents. Labourers recruited by the British and French were judged to have received better treatment. The perceptions of Chinese labourers and their families varied, but especially after the founding of the People’s Republic of China in 1949, their memories of indenture were influenced by anti-colonial and nationalist perspectives.

Indenture Beyond the ‘Coolie’ Trade: Reinitiating Chinese Indentured Migration to Cuba after the Chinese Commission Report (1874–1920)

ABSTRACT The historiography of Chinese indenture in Cuba is very clear when it comes to its periodization, establishing the start date of the trade in 1847 and the end in 1874. This periodization is based upon the arrival of the first and the last ships carrying Chinese indentured labourers. Thus, studies on the so-called ‘coolie trade’ focus on the period between these dates. What happened after the arrival of the last ship has attracted less attention. The end of the trade, after all, did not coincide with the end of indenture in Cuba, either in legal terms or in practice. By the 1880s there were still Chinese indentured labourers in Cuba who had not finished their contracts. Furthermore, after 1874 there were attempts to restore the trade in Chinese migrants: firstly, in 1877; and later, in 1919. Chinese indenture in Cuba is an excellent case study by which to problematize the meaning of ‘abolition’ and inquire on the nature of ‘indenture’. Using multilingual source material, this article suggests a continuous view of indenture in Cuba beyond the 1874 hallmark, and pinpoints the debt generated at the moment of recruitment to pay for the emigrating costs as the single most important defining mechanism of indenture.

Appropriate Hand Drying - The Missed Step of Hand Hygiene: A Qualitative Evaluation of Hand Drying Practices among Indian Health Care Workers.

Hand hygiene remains one of the most effective methods of preventing healthcare-associated infections. Hand drying is the end point of hand hygiene. Hand drying after hand hygiene is less explored, and the practice varies in different facilities. This explorative study was done to know the various hand-drying methods and practices of healthcare workers in Indian settings. This was a descriptive cross-sectional questionnaire-based observational study initiated from a tertiary care setup in Uttarakhand. Healthcare workers over 18 years of age directly involved in patient care were enrolled. A semi-structured questionnaire with both open-ended and close-ended questions was used with snowballing sampling technique. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). Out of the eligible 395 respondents, 62.8% were female. The mean age of the respondents was 31.34 ± 8.44 years and average working hours were 8.87 ± 2.97 (range 4-24) hours. Only 72.7% did hand hygiene always before touching a patient. Nurses were more compliant about hand hygiene than doctors (P < 0.0001). A total of 82.8% were aware of appropriate hand-drying methods. Staff in the Intensive care unit Intensive care unit (ICU) setup were more aware of hand drying practices (P = 0.033). A total of 21.8% wiped their hands on their clothing to dry their hands. This was more in staff from paraclinical departments (P = 0.001). A total of 35.7% used handkerchiefs to dry hands. Resident doctors used handkerchiefs more than senior doctors or nursing staff (P = 0.01). A total of 49.9% of respondents spent less than 10 seconds in hand drying. Hand-hygiene knowledge is high among healthcare workers in India, but the knowledge of appropriate hand-drying practices is lacking. There is wide variation in the practice of hand drying. Better hand drying guidelines and incorporating hand drying as the essential endpoint of the hand hygiene ritual are warranted.

SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCE DRIVERS: ANALYSING THE IMPACT ON ONLINE BUYING BEHAVIOUR OF UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES IN PUNJAB

Many businesses are using social networking sites to try to change how people behave, but not many studies have looked into how these tactics influence the online purchasing habits of university workers throughout India. Therefore, this study examines the impact of social media marketing on the online shopping habits of university staff in Punjab. It focuses on how different demographics factors affect how often and how much people buy. Despite extensive research on the general impact of social media on buyer behaviour, the effects on Indian university workers have received less attention. This gap highlights the need for more focused research to enhance the effectiveness of marketing plans and understand the impact of social media on this specific group of individuals. The research employed quantitative methods, polling 673 workers from several universities in Punjab and analysing the data through multiple regression and other statistical techniques. We looked at major factors such as age, gender, ease of shopping, competitive price, number of choices, response to ads, and yearly income. The results show that gender, how simple it is to buy something, and income have a big effect on how people buy things online. Average age, price competition, number of options, and ad engagement have less impact. These results indicate that marketing strategies that prioritize ease of purchase and cater to specific gender and class groups are likely to yield better results.

Association of accelerometer measured sedentary behavior patterns with cognitive functions in sedentary office workers: Insights from SMART-STEP study

BACKGROUND: High levels of sedentary behavior in workplaces are currently recognized as an independent risk factor for cognitive dysfunction and poor mental health. However, sedentary patterns vary between workdays and non-workdays, which may influence cognitive functions. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to quantify and compare work and nonwork device-measured sedentary time (ST) and its association with cognitive function in Indian office workers. METHODS: In an ongoing randomized controlled trial (SMART-STEP), the baseline data of 136 full-time office workers, including accelerometer-measured sedentary patterns and cognitive functions, were analyzed. The ST was measured using a hip-worn accelerometer (Actigraph wGT3X-BT) for seven days, and executive functions were measured using computer-based tests. Linear regression models were employed to analyze the relationships between ST and executive function measures. RESULTS: The median daily ST of Indian office workers was 11.41 hours. The ST was greater on both workdays (11.43 hrs.) and non-workdays (11.14 hrs.) though different (F = 6.76, p = 0.001, ηp2 = 0.032). Office workers accumulate more prolonged sitting bouts (+21.36 min) during work days than non-workdays. No associations between device-measured ST and executive functions were observed. CONCLUSION: Indian office workers exhibited high ST patterns, especially on workdays. Although lower than workdays, Indian office workers exhibited more ST patterns during non-workdays than did their Western counterparts. Culturally adaptable workplace and leisure time physical activity interventions are needed to address the high ST of Indian office workers.

Impact of COVID-19 among small-scale industry fishermen - A mixed methods study from the coastal area of Karnataka.

COVID-19 pandemic resulted in widespread and devastating physical, emotional, societal, and economic repercussions among workers in India. To evaluate the impact of COVID-19 and to understand the challenges faced and coping mechanism adopted among fishermen community from the coastal area of Karnataka. This community-based mixed-methods study included participants from a coastal Karnataka fishermen's community. Questionnaire based personal interviews collected information on sociodemographics, COVID-19 diagnosis, treatment, and related costs, COVID-19-appropriate behavior and were screened using DASS-21. Focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted to acquire qualitative data. Quantitative data collection involved 107 participants, predominantly males [70.1%], aged between 46-60 years [37.4%] and low socioeconomic status [79.4%]. Among 107, 51 participants reported to have probable COVID-19 symptoms. Around 11% had tested for COVID-19 and two were admitted in hospital with mean hospital stay of seven days. According to DASS-21, 20.6%, 15.9% and 9.3% of participants screened positive for depression, anxiety and stress respectively. Nearly one third of the participants were found to have significant socioeconomic impact.Major challenges faced included loss of livelihood, inaccessibility to health care, repayment of loans, stigma related to COVID-19 and meeting educational expenses of children with one dropping out of college. Activities of local self-help groups in the community and grass root level marketing strategies to sell fish were highly successful in mitigating the impact as a community. COVID-19 had a significant impact on fishermen community and implies a need for better pandemic and disaster preparedness strategies in the community.

RETRACTED: Critical safety climate dimensions for improved safety behavior: perspectives of construction workers

Although extensive research has been conducted to explain the high accident rates in the Indian construction industry, studies focusing on the contributions of the prevailing safety climate as an enabler of such incidences remain sparse. Safety climate plays a crucial role in shaping workers’ safety behaviors. Therefore, eliciting the perspectives of construction workers concerning safety climate dimensions that are critical for engendering improved safety behavior will provide valuable insights into the dimensions required to sustain the desired safety performance levels on construction sites. This study adopted a sequential mixed-methods research design. Purposively selected respondents and interviewees were surveyed and interviewed at various intervals. The study established that safety climate dimensions, such as effective leadership, effective communication, consultation, training, resources, incentives, and recognition, are critical in improving safety behavior among construction workers. The results of this study have significant implications for practice and knowledge, as they provide an approach for assessing the impact of different safety climate dimensions on the safety behavior of construction workers in India. Understanding these dimensions will lead to a framework for managing these challenges and improving construction safety performance. The study reported in this paper remains one of the few studies seeking to explore the impact of safety-climate dimensions on worker safety behavior in the construction industry.

Mitigation of non-CO2 greenhouse gases from Indian agriculture sector

The Indian agriculture sector is driven by small and marginal farmers and employs two-thirds of the Indian work force. Agriculture also accounts for around a quarter of the total greenhouse gas emissions, mainly in the form of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Hence, agriculture is an important sector for India’s transition to net-zero emissions and for the achievement of the sustainable development goals. So far, very few studies have assessed the future trajectories for CH4 and N2O emissions from the agriculture sector. Moreover, assessment of CH4 and N2O mitigation potential at a subnational (state) level is missing but is important owing to the regional diversity in India. To fill this gap, we focus on methane and nitrous oxide emissions from the agricultural activities using 23 sub-regions in India. We use the GAINS modelling framework which has been widely applied for assessing the mitigation strategies for non-CO2 emissions and multiple air pollutants at regional and global scales. We analyze a current policy and a sustainable agriculture scenario using different combinations of structural interventions and technological control measures to inform the Indian and global climate policy debates. Our results suggest that a combination of sustainable agricultural practices and maximum feasible control measures could reduce the CH4 and N2O emissions by about 6% and 19% by 2030 and 27% and 40% by 2050 when compared to the current policies scenario with limited technological interventions. At a sub-national level, highest mitigation potential is observed in Uttar Pradesh, followed by, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana. The mitigation of agricultural CH4 and N2O also has co-benefits in terms of reduced local pollution, improved health, and livelihood opportunities for the local communities.

Invisible struggles: unveiling the mental health implications of job insecurity among migrant hospitality workers

ABSTRACT Migrant workers in India, who are often seen as the backbone of the nation, live in highly precarious conditions, experiencing heightened job insecurity. Nevertheless, they received little attention in scholarly investigations. This study utilises the latent deprivation theory to investigate the impact of quantitative and qualitative job insecurity experienced by interstate migrant hospitality workers in India and its impact on their mental health. The study also explores the potential mediating role of employee morale in this relationship. Additionally, it investigates whether the perception of employability, which refers to the likelihood of finding alternative employment, moderates the link between job insecurity dimensions and mental health. Data was collected from interstate migrant workers employed in tourist hotels in Delhi, India. Findings revealed that both dimensions of job insecurity have been negatively associated with the mental health of these workers, with employee morale serving as a partial mediator in the relationship. Employability is found to be a crucial moderator in alleviating the negative impact of quantitative job insecurity on mental health. In light of the findings, the study offers key interventions required at the policy and organisational levels to enhance well-being while utilising the unique skills and diverse perspectives of these migrant workers.

Policy and Political Participation in Developing Countries: A Review of the Literature on Sex Workers in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan

Policy and Political Participation in Developing Countries: A Review of the Literature on Sex Workers in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan

How important are matching frictions in the labor market? Experimental & non-experimental evidence from a large Indian firm

This paper provides evidence of matching frictions in the Indian labor market. Using several methods to elicit genuine preferences of job-seekers over jobs, we show that: (a) there is substantial variation in job-seekers preferences over the same jobs; and (b) placement officers, responsible for placing job-seekers in jobs, have poor knowledge of it. Providing placement offers with this information improves matching of job-seekers to interviews, even after taking into account redistribution of jobs across job-seekers. Treated job-seekers get more preferred jobs and retain them in the short run (three months), but not in the longer run (six months).

“A little love is enough for me to live my life…”: Precarity and resilience among older sex workers in India

Most research on sex workers globally has focused on cis women sex workers vulnerabilities including violence, risk for HIV/AIDS, and stigma. Despite the plethora of studies on the topic, older sex workers are significantly underrepresented in research. We used a phenomenological approach to highlight street and home-based sex workers’ experiences. Using a purposive sampling strategy, 39 cis women sex workers were recruited from Karnataka, India and data were collected using in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Findings revealed a range of changes in sex workers’ lives as they aged, financial instability, lack of alternate livelihood options, and limited access to governmental benefits and social security. Participant narratives challenged the notion of anticipated traditional familial support especially from their grown children. Findings were replete with instances of sex workers’ personal agency to confront personal and professional challenges. Peer networks formed the biggest forms of support as were sex workers’ connections with local community-based groups. There is an urgent need for helping professionals to recognize the ongoing marginalization faced by older sex workers. It is critical to address concerns broadly along with inequities in terms of access and power as experienced by older sex workers. Finally, examining the differential impact of ageism, structural barriers including neglect by the State, violence, and stigma that follow sex workers is vital.

Mobility, stress, and coping strategy: A qualitative investigation of migrant hospitality workers in India post the Covid crisis

Migrant workers in India represent one of the most marginalised segments of the population and often find employment in highly vulnerable sectors such as construction, tourism, and hospitality, making their lives more stressful. This study, based on a qualitative approach, explores the reasons for migration, stress‐related experiences, and the coping strategies of migrant hospitality workers in India following the Covid crisis. Primary data through personal interviews has been collected from 21 migrant workers employed in hospitality organisations in the Delhi‐NCR (National Capital Region) region of India. A thematic analysis was performed to extract key themes from the qualitative data. The findings show that a lack of employment opportunities and rigid societal norms drive these workers towards cities. The stressors include family obligations, precarious work, and entrapping debt. Further, these workers typically cope by managing their emotions, acknowledging that they cannot address the problems that are leading to their stress. The study puts forth practical steps that public actors/government can take to implement policies designed to enhance the living and working conditions of these migrant workers.

The China trade shock and the gender wage gap in India: A district-level analysis

This study provides new evidence on the debate surrounding international trade and the gender wage gap in a developing country context. It asks whether increased competition from trade has any causal effect on the district-level gender wage gap in India. Changes in competition from trade are measured using changes in imports from China, owing to the dramatic rise in Chinese imports into India in recent years. To isolate the supply-driven component of Chinese imports and establish causality, I use Chinese import growth in other low and lower-middle-income countries as an instrument for Chinese import growth in India. Results indicate a positive and statistically significant impact of an increase in Chinese imports on the gender wage gap over time. In addition to the economy-wide sample of workers, this effect holds true for the sub-samples of casual laborers and rural sector workers where the majority of women workers in India are concentrated. Unlike previous studies using industry-level data, the district-level focus of this study allows us to capture micro-level effects, as well as the net effects of trade in the surrounding district.

Forging the West Indian Nation: Federation and Caribbean Activism in Post-war Britain, 1945-60.

This article explores how Caribbean activists living in Britain after 1945 engaged with the movement for the West Indies Federation. By considering overlooked organizations such as the Caribbean Labour Congress, London Branch (CLC) and the West Indian Workers and Students Association (WIWSA), it shows that, first, Britain became a hub for Caribbean nationalism and support for Federation in the post-war years. Secondly, it argues that the West Indies Federation of 1958-62 significantly influenced the formation of important British Caribbean institutions, such as the West Indian Gazette and the Caribbean Carnival. In contrast to traditional narratives regarding post-war Caribbean political activity in Britain, which often treat the 1950s conjuncture through the lens of race and of the prehistory of a 'multi-cultural' Britain, this article seeks to recover a moment when British Caribbean activism was moved by a broader, transnational, self-consciously 'West Indian' nationalist movement. In doing so, it reveals the significance of the West Indies Federation, and Caribbean decolonization more broadly, to the Caribbean diaspora in Britain, and their political activities. Moreover, it illustrates how diasporic and exilic communities and figures continued to play an important role in anti-colonial and nation-building projects.

Understanding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Indian Migrant Workers in the United Arab Emirates: Perceptions, Challenges, and Psychological Effects

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) is often regarded as a preferred employment location for Indian migrant workers seeking improved financial stability and enhanced career opportunities. The spread of COVID-19 has led to a decline in international migration rates and an increase in the number of individuals returning to their home countries. Therefore, it is imperative to analyze the challenges and perspectives of migrant labour. The assessment was based on a sample size of 416 Indian migrant workers who were present in the UAE during the lockdown period of the pandemic. Statistical techniques were employed to assess the research objective and examine the formulated hypothesis. The study confirms that the employment status of the migrant population has transformed, leading to a decline in both income and remittance flows. There is a significant difference in remittances by Indian migrant workers in the United Arab Emirates before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistical analysis reveals a significant finding in the chi-square test regarding the perception of migrants towards health facilities and other amenities offered by the Government of the UAE. The facilities provided by the Government of the UAE were perceived to be considerably more favourable in comparison to those offered by the Government of India. The favourable view of the UAE authorities led to the choice of several migrant workers to remain there rather than return to India throughout the pandemic. The logistic regression analysis reveals that demographic information such as age, duration of stay, level of education, sources of income, and earnings were the significant determinants of fear of COVID-19. The report also encompasses a few constraints and offers policy recommendations.

IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON WORKING WOMEN AS INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (IT) PROFESSIONALS IN BENGALURU: A CASE OF REVERSE MIGRATION

International migration has always been a catalyst for development and advancement in any nation. The COVID-19 virus's global proliferation compelled a large-scale return of the migrant population to its nation of origin. Not only have the organized migrant workers been impacted by the disease, but also the unorganized migrant workers. The study's primary subject is the migrant workforce in India's information and communication technology industry. The IT industry in India is thought to be expanding at the quickest rate in the entire world. Due to the implementation of the lockdown, millions of migrant workers in India are anticipated to lose their jobs. This thorough cross-sectional study examined the difficulties experienced by remote workers in Bangalore's information technology sector to better understand the causes of reverse migration among IT professionals. To comprehend the socioeconomic behaviour of IT professionals, the researcher also made an effort to investigate spending and saving patterns before and after the epidemic.

Pteridophytes of the Eastern India: I. Enumeration of the Species Collected and their Nomenclature

Beddome's Handbook on Ferns of British India with supplement though published in 1892, and contains outmoded classifications and out of date nomenclature, still serves as the standard source of reference for all Indian workers on the fern flora of the country.In this communication Copeland's (1947) classification has been followed in presenting 16 of his 18 families occurring in India. Thirty-two of the 47 genera have heen tabulated according to their respective positions in the classifications of Copeland and Beddome to illustrate the striking changes brought about in the concept of fern systematics between 1892 and 1947.About 150 species collected from parts of Orissa, Bihar, Assam and N.E.F.-Agency have been listed with correct nomenclature followed by basinym and important synonyms. Species names used by Beddome (1892) are indicated by the abbreviation 'Bedd' followed by a numerical to facilitate reference back to the respective page in his Handbook and supplement.Some new combinations have been made and new records established.