Rubber Tappers Research Articles

Falciparum Malaria Outbreak in Sabah Linked to an Immigrant Rubber Tapper.

Sabah is a Malaysian state situated in the northern part of Borneo, and it is endemic for malaria. The incidence of malaria is the lowest (0.05/1,000 population) in Penampang districts of Sabah. In June 26, 2012, two Plasmodium falciparum malaria cases were notified to public health department from a village in Penampang. Immediate investigation was initiated to identify the risk factors and to institute control measures. We performed active case finding by asking household members of all houses in the village regarding malaria symptoms and by examining blood smears. Environmental investigation was performed by collecting samples to detect mosquito breeding sites and to identify malaria transmitting vector mosquitoes. A case-control study with a ratio of 1:4 (11 cases and 44 controls) was conducted using self-administered questionnaire. The microscopic examination of blood smear for malarial parasite and entomology sampling was carried out. The malarial attack rate was 2.3%, 6/11 smears have gametocyte, and the case fatality rate was 9.1%. One case was a migrant rubber tapper from Indonesia which happened to be the first case with gametocyte positive. Overall, the incidence of malaria was higher (6/11) among rubber tappers. The odds of cases for those living nearby stagnant water were 7.3 [95% confidence interval: 1.2-43.5] times higher. In conclusion, an outbreak of P. falciparum malaria was introduced into a malaria-free village by a migrant rubber tapper, by whom the imported parasite was introduced to the community via vector Anopheles balabacensis. Living near stagnant water bodies was the risk factor in this outbreak.

Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSDs) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) Scoring Among Rubber Tappers

Musculoskeletal Disorder (MSDs) and Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) Scoring Among Rubber Tappers

Cup lump modified asphalt mixture along jalan Kuala Lumpur-Kuantan, daerah Temerloh, Pahang

Issue of rubber additive in asphalt mixture has been discussed in asphalt industry Malaysia and its usage was suggested to be used in Pan Borneo Highway project. Using rubber additives can increase revenue rubber tappers in Malaysia. Hence, a study was conducted by the Public Works Department (PWD) and Malaysian Rubber Board (MRB) to investigate the properties of Cup Lumps Modified Asphalt (CMA) based on PWD specifications and its performance. The study area selected was at FT02, Jalan Kuala Lumpur - Kuantan, Temerloh Pahang. In this study, 5 % Cup Lump Modified Binder (CMB) were used. Tests involved were Penetration Softening Point, Flash Point, Dynamic Shear, Marshall, Road Scanner (RS), Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), Skid Resistance (Pendulum Test) and Dynamic Creep. The results indicate that CMB with bitumen 60/70 meet the specification. However, it will tend to rut when the temperature exceeds 70°C. For CMA mixture, it shows similar performance with conventional mixture. Meanwhile, at site, the performance for CMA pavement was better in surface condition (94 % good condition in roughness), structural condition (100 % good condition), skid resistance (SRV 63) and dynamic creep (32.01 MPa) compared to conventional pavement AC14. Thus, it can be suggested that the performance of CMA is better than conventional mixture AC14.

História e cultura local na formação docente em Química

Este artigo descreve trabalho desenvolvido em salas de aula da licenciatura em química e do ensino médio urbano e rural para o ensino de química em uma perspectiva intercultural. O estado do Acre (Brasil) foi constituído a partir da ocupação de território na Floresta Amazônica por interesses econômicos nos denominados “surtos da borracha”. Planos de ensino e materiais didáticos foram escritos a partir do contexto histórico e social desta movimentação de pessoas e da aproximação do conhecimento de seringueiros e indígenas do conhecimento científico. As narrativas, experimentos e vivências foram propostas com base em trabalhos de campo, de laboratório e pesquisa bibliográfica. A dinâmica das atividades propostas oportunizou a formação de um docente mais humanista, bem como propiciou na escola média o aprendizado da ciência química e o reconhecimento do valor das populações da floresta pelos estudantes do centro urbano e o reconhecimento do próprio valor pelos estudantes da escola rural.

ANALISIS PRODUKTIVITAS DAN PENDAPATAN TENAGA KERJA PENYADAP KARET DI KABUPATEN JEMBER

Rubber plantation development has proven to be the economic driver of the region with a variety of multiplier effect. East Java is one of the potential areas for rubber plantations development. Rubber production in East Java in 2012 amounted to 6,085 tons. This study aims to determine the factors that influence the labor productivity of rubber tappers and differences in productivity, revenue, revenue contributions. This research was conducted by taking locations in Jember by taking Sumberwadung and Durjo plantations as research objects. Data analysis technique used is multiple linear recreation and different test. The analysis show: Labor productivity in plantation rubber tapper Sumberwadung influenced by the outpouring of hours of work, education and training and the environment and work climate. Labor productivity in plantation rubber tapper Durjo influenced by age, environment and climate and the number of family members.Productivity and revenue between growers and Durjo Sumberwadung no different. Labor income between growers and Durjo different Sumberwadung

Preface to the Third Issue of Indian-Pacific Journal of Accounting and Finance

Preface to the Third Issue of Indian-Pacific Journal of Accounting and Finance

Examining the Livelihood Assets and Sustainable Livelihoods among the Vulnerability Groups in Malaysia

Until recently, the livelihood vulnerability group such as paddy farmers, coastal fishers and rubber tappers in rural areas are susceptible to economic shock and climate change such as flood and drought. This situation will jeopardise the livelihoods of this group. In response to that, this study aims to investigate the relationship between livelihood assets and sustainable livelihoods. This study adopts quantitative study with stratified sampling method to select a total of 600 respondents from rural areas in Kedah and Kelantan. The findings confirm that physical asset, natural asset and social asset are significantly related to the achievement of sustainable livelihoods. Some recommendations have been highlighted to assist the concerned parties in improving sustainable livelihoods among the vulnerable group in rural areas.

Collective Agreements and the Wages of Rubber Tappers in Malaysia, 1954-2003: A Revisit of ‘Bad Bargains’

Drawing on collective agreements pertaining to rubber tappers in the Malaysian plantation sector for the period, 1954-2003, the authors re-examine threeconclusions of previous studies: (i) real earnings of tappers had not increased, (ii) the prosperity sharing provision in the agreements was ineffective in passing some of the windfall gains to workers; and (iii) the overall payment scheme, with fixed and flexible components, only benefited employers. These claims, if left to stand without careful re-examination, would represent a serious misinterpretation of facts. Our findings show that overall earnings have kept pace with rising inflation and the prosperity sharing mechanism benefited workers in 43 out of the 46 years since its introduction in 1959. The flexible wage system, while benefitting employers, also protected labour employment in times of rubber price downswings.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Rubber Tappers: A Case Study in Phatthalung Province, Thailand

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Musculoskeletal Disorders in Rubber Tappers: A Case Study in Phatthalung Province, Thailand

Acceptability of insecticide-treated clothing for malaria prevention among migrant rubber tappers in Myanmar: a cluster-randomized non-inferiority crossover trial

BackgroundInsecticide-treated clothing (ITC) has long been used for military and outdoor recreational purposes and there is substantial evidence to show that it can protect against arthropod biting. As a complementary vector control measure, ITC could be used to address outdoor transmission of malaria, particularly among mobile and migrant populations and night-time workers such as rubber tappers, who may be beyond the reach of core interventions. However, more information is required on acceptability and preferences of target groups towards ITC to understand whether it could be a viable strategy in Myanmar.MethodsA cluster-randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority crossover trial was performed to determine acceptability of ITC versus identical, untreated clothing (NTC) among migrant rubber tappers. The study took place between January and May 2015 with 234 participants in 16 clusters in Thanbyuzayat Township, Mon State, Myanmar. Participants were randomly assigned to the order of clothing distribution and followed up at 2, 4 and 6 week intervals. Acceptability was assessed through structured questionnaires, focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. A cluster-level non-inferiority analysis was conducted using STATA, while qualitative data were digitally recorded, transcribed and content-analysed to identify patterns and themes, and managed thematically in Excel 2010®.ResultsAcceptability of both types of clothing was high. ITC was deduced to be non-inferior to NTC for seven out of eight indicators regarding perceptions (looks nice, is durable, is pleasant to wear for nighttime work, reduces mosquito bites, would recommend the clothing, would buy the clothing, like the clothing overall). A high proportion of respondents reported that the clothing reduced mosquito bites (ITC-98%; NTC-94%). Clothing was worn regularly (about 11 times in the previous two weeks). The most common reasons for not wearing the clothing every night were that it was being washed or dried, or the participant did not go to work.ConclusionsThe high level of acceptability suggests that ITC could be an appropriate strategy for personal protection amongst migrant rubber tappers in outdoor transmission settings in Myanmar. However, more research is needed into the feasibility and protective efficacy of ITC before it can be considered for wider roll-out.Trial registration Clinical trials ACTRN12615000432516

Is It Possible to Make Rubber Extraction Ecologically and Economically Viable in the Amazon? The Southern Acre and Chico Mendes Reserve Case Study

Rubber extraction in the Amazon faces enormous ecological and economic challenges. We modeled the ecology (tree density and forest yields) and the production chain, including rents of the three major rubber products: Pressed Virgin Rubber (PVR), Liquid Latex (LL), and Liquid Smoked Sheet (LSS) from native forests and from plantations in Southern Acre, including the emblematic Chico Mendes Reserve. Our estimates show that, in native forests, tree density ranges from 0 to 4trees/ha (average=1.67trees/ha), while productivity varies from 1 to 3l/tree/year (average=2.26l/tree/year) with yields between 1 and 6l/ha/year. Our model estimates a potential annual production of 890tons of dry rubber in the 2.5millionha of forests of Southern Acre (average=0.36kg/ha/year). Rubber extraction in native forests is not economically viable without government subsidies. Mean Equivalent Annual Annuity (EAA) for LL is US$ 3.24ha/year in a scenario with subsidies and of 75% of potential annual harvest. LSS from plantations reaches an EAA of US$ 270ha/year if costs of formation are subsidized. Public subsidies or Payments for Ecosystem Services are essential to sustain, at least temporally, rubber tapper identity – an important Cultural Ecosystem Service of the Amazon.

A Frente "Pioneira" Na Amazônia: Luta E Resistência Seringueira E A Invenção Das Reservas Extrativistas

O presente trabalho objetiva debruçar-se sobre a história da criação das Reservas Extrativistas - RESEX, a partir da análise da luta e do envolvimento político dos seringueiros na Amazônia contra o avanço destrutivo da frente "pioneira". O processo de ocupação capitalista da região amazônica trouxe imbricado a si fragmentações da coerência territorial endógena mediante a alteração das formas pretéritas de uso do território, despertando diversas tensões sociais na floresta.

Effects of physical activity at work and life-style on sleep in workers from an Amazonian Extractivist Reserve

Physical activity has been recommended as a strategy for improving sleep. Nevertheless, physical effort at work might not be not the ideal type of activity to promote sleep quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of type of job (low vs. high physical effort) and life-style on sleep of workers from an Amazonian Extractivist Reserve, Brazil. A cross-sectional study of 148 low physical activity (factory workers) and 340 high physical activity (rubber tappers) was conducted between September and November 2011. The workers filled out questionnaires collecting data on demographics (sex, age, occupation, marital status and children), health (reported morbidities, sleep disturbances, musculoskeletal pain and body mass index) and life-style (smoking, alcohol use and practice of leisure-time physical activity). Logistic regression models were applied with the presence of sleep disturbances as the primary outcome variable. The prevalence of sleep disturbances among factory workers and rubber tappers was 15.5% and 27.9%, respectively. The following independent variables of the analysis were selected based on a univariate model (p<0.20): sex, age, marital status, work type, smoking, morbidities and musculoskeletal pain. The predictors for sleep disturbances were type of job (high physical effort); sex (female); age (>40 years), and having musculoskeletal pain (≥5 symptoms). Rubber tapper work, owing to greater physical effort, pain and musculoskeletal fatigue, was associated with sleep disturbances. Being female and older than 40 years were also predictors of poor sleep. In short, these findings suggest that demanding physical exertion at work may not improve sleep quality.

Prevalence of occupational injury and its contributing factors among rubber tappers in Galle, Sri Lanka.

Rubber tapping involves carrying heavy loads, navigating rough terrain, and using sharp tools. However, little is known about occupational injury among this vulnerable working population. To assesses the prevalence, severity, and contributing factors associated with occupational injury among Sri Lankan rubber tappers and to identify possible interventions to improve occupational safety. A questionnaire was administered to 300 Sri Lankan rubber tappers. The associations between tapper characteristics and injury within the last year were examined using log-binomial regression models. Short response answers were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. 300 tappers reported 594 injuries in the previous 12months, and missed 1,080days of work. The prevalence of one or more injuries was 49%. Factors associated with injury were being female, working an additional job, tapping with a two-handed approach, and depressive symptomology. Qualitative findings suggest three interventions to address injuries: (1) landscaping, (2) personal protective equipment, and (3) provision of eyeglasses. Work-related injuries are common among Sri Lankan rubber tappers. These results highlight the importance of working with and including informal workers in the creation of Sri Lankan occupational health and safety regulations. We believe that the three interventions identified by respondents could help to reduce the risk of occupational injury among rubber tappers.

Reservas extractivas ¿Alternativa para la conservación de especies forestales?

Las reservas extractivas constituyen un tipo de estrategia recientemente creada para la protección de áreas de selva dedicadas a la extracción de productos forestales no maderables. Este tipo de área protegida se originó en Brasil debido a las necesidades de los recolectores de caucho de evitar la pérdida continua y acelerada de grandes áreas forestales de la selva amazónica y al mismo tiempo poder seguir recolectando el caucho de Pará (Hevea brasiliensis [ Willd. Ex Adr. Juss.] M. Arg.), las nueces de Brasil (Bertholletia excelsa Humb. &amp; Bonpl.) y otros productos forestales. El gobierno brasileño reconoció en 1990, en la legislación de Brasil, las reservas extractivas las cuales han evitado la reducción de las tasas de deforestación. En México en 1910 este concepto de reserva ya había sido manejada como tal, aunque no con ese nombre, en la zona maya del Estado de Quintana Roo. Debido a que el mercado del chicle decayó, esta reserva ha favorecido también la explotación moderada y comunitaria de otros productos forestales y al mismo tiempo ha logrado conservar importantes áreas de selva tropical. Se concluye que este tipo de reserva tiene sus limitaciones y debe ser considerada sólo como una alternativa para extraer productos forestales no maderables en cantidades moderadas y al mismo tiempo contener la deforestación de los ecosistemas tropicales húmedos.

O SERINGAL PORONGABA: MEMÓRIAS DE UM PASSADO CONSTRUÍDO

Este artigo enfoca elementos da história de um seringal localizado na beira do rio Iaco, leste do estado do Acre, a partir da narrativa de seus moradores. Trata-se de um passado construído que aponta para a perda da centralidade do cortar seringa no cotidiano das colocações, com a saída de cena dos patrões de antigamente e a desestruturação dos seringais empresa.Neste contexto, muitos grupos domésticos abandonaram o seringal, transferindo-se para a rua (áreas urbanas) ou para outras áreas rurais. Entretanto, muitos outros seguiram vivendo lá, indicando que outros fatores, além do econômico, foram levados em consideração.Palavras-chave: Reserva extrativista, seringal, seringueiros, castanha doBrasil, Amazônia, Acre, rio Iaco.

Evaluación ergonómica del procesamiento del caucho natural en plantaciones y pequeñas empresas

This exploratory study used OWAS (Ovako Working Posture Analysing System) to analyze the working postures of natural rubber tappers and rubber industry workers. A community of natural rubber farmers of Taraza and five small companies of Medellin and Itagui, all of them allocated in Antioquia-Colombia, participated in this study. Processes were analyzed in-situ and videotapes of activities were recorded for carrying out a movement study. For an overall distribution of trunk postures, OWAS identified that a bent and twisted trunk posture which fell into action category 4, was the major poor posture for rubber tappers and rubber industry workers. This study also identified that latex tapping, latex collection, mixing in two roll mills and metallic molds operation were the four activities in which the major working posture risks were observed. It was found that reduction of posture risks in natural rubber production chain requires designing and implementing plans considering organizational culture, socio-economic and sociodemographic factors of natural rubber farmers and small rubber manufacturing industries, besides the use of some useful tools that reduce the handling of heavy loads.

Prevalence and risk factors of musculoskeletal disorders among Sri Lankan rubber tappers.

Rubber tapping exposes workers to risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with MSDs among Sri Lankan rubber tappers. Questionnaires were administered to 300 rubber tappers to measure MSDs and potential associated factors. Ergonomic exposure levels were measured for 90 tappers using the Quick Exposure Check instrument. MSD prevalence and prevalence ratios were calculated using log-binomial regression. In the past 12months, 66% of rubber tappers in our sample experienced an MSD. Ergonomic exposure levels were high or very high in the back (94.4%), shoulders (96.7%), and neck (83.3%). Being female, older, Tamil, working two jobs, alternating tapping hands, and depression were significantly associated with increased risk of MSDs. MSDs are common among rubber tappers in Sri Lanka. These results suggest a need for work process modifications to prevent MSDs.

In Search of the Amazon. Brazil, the United States and the Nature of a Region - by Garfield, Seth

Garfield, Seth (2013) In Search of the Amazon. Brazil, the United States and the Nature of a Region, Duke University Press (Durham, NC), xi + 368 pp. £71.00 hbk, £17.99 pbk. During the Estado Novo (1937–1945) the Brazilian authorities discovered the Amazon as a region that could, and maybe should, be incorporated in Brazilian development. This required a concerted effort to change its image from a ‘tropical inferno’ into a world of opportunities. To this end the government used the new media, from literature to radio and movies. Under the Vargas government the Amazon became a metonym of Brazil's natural treasures, ‘a region teeming with untold economic potential’. After the War started, this new imagery came to be connected to the need for primary resources of the allied powers, and especially the US need for a secure supply of rubber. When the Japanese forces invaded the Malayan peninsula in May 1942, the USA lost access to more than 90 percent of its rubber supply. The Amazon seemed to be the obvious region to replace this production region and between the two governments a concerted effort developed to increase Amazon rubber production. Due to the gathering methods of the seringueiros this was not an easy task and the conclusion that we can draw from Garfield's book is that this effort failed miserably. This is, however, not the core theme of his book. Rather Garfield sets out to understand how different perceptions of nature and society in the Amazon came about and changed due to these different (geo)political projects. The book starts with two chapters describing first the origins of the ‘estado novo’ project and then the changing US perceptions under the influence of their rubber dependency. These are rich texts that show how strongly the search of the Amazon was taken place in the context of, and determined by global transformations. Then the attention shifts to the issue of labour, which was indispensable for the development of the Amazon rubber production. The chapter delves into the social history of rubber tapping nicely showing how traditional practices were confronted by the new modernist ambitions of policy makers. The latter were convinced that the traditional, ‘inert’ rubber tapper had to be replaced by a modern and reliable worker who would be able to provide a steady amount of rubber. These ideas connected to the Vargas-regime's insistence on formalising labour (trabalhismo). The new rubber tapper should be soldiers, soldados da borracha [rubber soldiers], in the fight for Amazon development and war against Nazism. Part of the solution for finding this new working force was migration. The Brazilian government actively stimulated inhabitants from the dry and crisis-infested Northeastern provinces, especially Ceará, to migrate to the rubber producing areas in the Amazon. Ceará experienced a terrible drought in 1941 and 1942 and the desperate population was offered a solution in the rubber sector. This migration is the topic of Chapter 4, which may well be the most interesting one of the book, because it shows the contradictory effects of international pressures and national policies geared towards both more efficient production and the construction of a national identity. These goals were mixed with clear ambitions to ‘civilise’ the working poor. Garfield points at the repressive and authoritarian dynamics of these ambitions, but also emphasises that this migration was a genuine effort to implement social policies by the Vargas government. At the same time he stresses that, especially for the adolescents, migration also offered a way out of misery and paternalist control. The last chapter explicitly looks at US involvement in the Amazon and the contradictory images created in the process. The rubber soldiers were never really capable of providing enough rubber for the USA and with the end of the War they were left behind without any more support or attention. The book ends with an epilogue that analyses the imagery around the Amazon in the remainder of the twentieth century when environmental themes like deforestation and global warming took pride of place and replaced the focus on social and cultural improvement of the workers. It connects to the book's focus on imageries of the Amazon but for the rest does not connect very clearly to the previous chapters. This is an extremely rich and well-researched historical study that will be a benchmark for Amazon history for a long time. The focus on the international events playing out in a region that has often be portrayed as isolated is illuminating. A drawback may be that the last chapters show less coherence and seem to be more determined by the sources than the focus on the competing imageries of the region. This lack of focus is also reflected in the title which in many ways does not do justice to the rewarding historical analysis of the book.

Rainforest Cowboys: The Rise of Ranching and Cattle Culture in Western Amazonia by Jeffrey Hoelle

Reviewed by: Rainforest Cowboys: The Rise of Ranching and Cattle Culture in Western Amazonia by Jeffrey Hoelle Andrew Sluyter Rainforest Cowboys: The Rise of Ranching and Cattle Culture in Western Amazonia. Jeffrey Hoelle. Austin: University of Texas Press, 2015. xiv + 196 pp. Photos, maps, diagrams, tables, notes, appendices, references, and index. $45.00 cloth (ISBN 978-0-292-76134-6). Research related to tropical deforestation in the Americas has grown from a few seminal articles in the 1970s into one of the most popular topics among Latin Americanist geographers. While cattle ranchers often figure prominently in that literature, the equally popular political ecology approach that dominates such research can represent them rather simplistically, as a monolithic force that destroys rainforest and its native cultures instead of as a social group with its own varied cultural dimensions. With this book, Hoelle joins others who have begun to remedy that considerable gap in the literature by focusing on what he terms “cattle culture” and how it modulates the social interactions of ranchers, cowboys, agricultural colonists, rubber tappers, environmentalists, and government officials in the Brazilian state of Acre. In Acre, highway BR-364 reaches the frontier between Brazil, Peru, and Bolivia near the headwaters of some of the Amazon’s major tributaries. Homeland to the Kulina and many other native peoples, dominated by rubber barons during the nineteenth century, fiercely disputed by Brazil and Bolivia in the early twentieth century, Acre became emblematic of Amazonian social movements in the 1980s through the activism of Chico Mendes. Born in Acre in 1944, the union leader and environmentalist also died there, shot to death in his home by a cattle rancher in 1988. The international media portrayed Mendes as the protagonist, a martyr for the rainforest, and thereby did much to increase popular sympathy for the establishment of reserves to protect the environment, native peoples, and rubber tappers from the agricultural colonization and ranching that was [End Page 163] proliferating along the system of highways the Brazilian government was building to promote colonization and development of the Amazon basin. At the same time, the media narrative established ranchers as the antagonists: not only as the destroyers of the rainforest, but also as the murderers of its defenders. That narrative encouraged researchers to focus on the social movements, indigenous peoples, and the environment while essentializing ranchers as one-dimensional villains. Hoelle’s research reveals cattle ranchers and their employees as a much more complex group, with a fascinating culture that hybridizes elements from the gaúchos of southern Brazil with those from the vaqueiros of the Sertão of the northeast as well as with yet other elements from North American cowboys. Acrean caubois thus listen to traditional música sertaneja but also to the fusion genre of contri, sip herba maté tea but wear big belt buckles and other symbols of what they call the Texano style, and love their rodeos as much as gathering at their churrascos to eat steak. Extensive field work that incorporated landscape interpretation, interviews, participant observation, questionnaires, oral histories, and qualitative and quantitative analysis reveals how social groups such as agricultural colonists and rubber tappers have adopted various aspects of that cattle culture as they increasingly began to raise cattle in the 1990s. Their adoption of some couboi practices, perceptions, and symbols is not necessary to the economic integration of cattle herding into agricultural and extractive land uses and therefore suggests the entwining of cultural, economic, and political processes. Agricultural colonists, for example, began to equate the vida contri of the ranchers with economic success, bought cattle, began to wear cauboi hats, and consider pasture a more ideal landscape type than fields of crops, signaling a cultural as well as an economic shift. Even environmentalists, who disparage cattle ranching and consider forest the ideal landscape type, eat beef an average of nearly four days per week and have adopted various other elements of cattle culture. One environmental lawyer even opened a store named Cowboys Ranch so that all of the trappings of cattle culture–from hats and lassos to boots and smokeless tobacco–would be available to the urban caubois de vitrine (store-window cowboys) who hang out at the...