Labour conditions of marine fishing workers in thoothukudi district

Abstract

Fishing workers, particularly in the fishing communities are the most disadvantaged group. They have a very low status in the society. There are about 6.79 lakhs fishermen in Tamil Nadu. Of which 2.70 lakh are productively employed in fishing and its related activities. Fishing workers are actively involved in the economic activities such as making and mending of nets, fish processing, dry fish preparation, marketing of fresh fish, dry fish and fish handling such as sorting, weighing, gutting, icing, etc. Their contribution to the development of small-scale fisheries is not recognised and compensated properly due to the social and cultural discrimination against them. They have acquired a secondary status in social life, economic activities and decision-making. A number of socio-economic constraints limit their work productivity and role in employment and income generating activities. They have the potential to play an active and sometimes dominant role in fishing related activities. newline