CRITICAL ISSUES OF STREET GARMENTS VENDORS - A CASE STUDY IN CHITTOOR DISTRICT OF ANDHRA PRADESH

The street garments vendors are one of the constituent pillars of the giant unorganised workforce. They are the selfemployed category contributing a significant share to the economy of each country. The street garments vendors face many problems in the daily chores of their vending activities. The present study is conducted to examine the problems of street garments vendors in Chittoor District of Andhra Pradesh. Four hundred and fifty samples were drawn from the universe under simple random sampling method. The results show that women are dominating the street vending trades. The major problems include sexual harassment, physical evictions by the enforcement authorities. There is a significant relationship between the problems faced by the respondents and their overall perception about the street garments vendors. The study concludes that the Government of Andhra Pradesh has implemented more than 75 per cent of the provisions of the street garments vendors Act. The study ends with the concluding note that the Street garments vendors Act is to be implemented in letter and spirit to minimise the problems and issues against the street garments vendors in Chittoor District

An epidemiological study to evaluate morbidity patterns among wood workers belonging to unorganized sector

Background: Wood workers are predisposed to many occupational diseases. Studying work place environment and its association with the morbidities would provide practical insights to promote the health and prevent disease in wood workers. Present study intends to study the epidemiological determinants of health and morbidity in wood workers. Methods: Quantitative method of research is used. All One hundred and five wood workers in the study area were recruited after taking informed consent. A semi-structured, pre-validated, questionnaire consisting of questions on sociodemographic profile, working pattern, morbidities experienced and working environment was prepared. Data was collected using one to one interview at their workplace. Environmental factors like iIllumination (In LUX) and noise level (in db) at the work place was measured using a Lux meter and sound level meter respectively. Association between different variables were analysed using Chi-square test or t-test wherever applicable. Results: Participants were all male belonging to economically productive age group. They were predominantly Muslims, belonging to lower socioeconomic status. Morbidities experienced by the wood workers were musculoskeletal pain (52%), skin problems (57%), eye problems (57.14%) and ear problems (32.38%). Inadequate illumination (<100 LUX) and noise levels more than 90 db were significantly associated with increased accidents and ear morbidities respectively. Conclusions: Poor working environment and non-compliance with the working standards prescribed by ILO (Indian Labour Organisation) are associated with morbidities among the workers. Environmental modification, use of protective devices, availability of basic minimum facilities for working and continuous monitoring of the workplaces by competent authority would help in decreasing the prevalence of morbidities among woodworkers.