scholarly journals Increasing heat creates hardship for brick kiln workers in Chennai, India and the alternative pathways reducing it

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karin Lundgren Kownacki ◽  
Siri M. Kjellberg ◽  
Pernille Goosh ◽  
Marwa Dabaieh ◽  
Vidhya Venugopal
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Brick Kiln ◽  
Alternative Pathways ◽  
Labor Conditions ◽  
Migrant Populations ◽  
Brick Kilns ◽  
The Social ◽  
Bonded Labor

Climate change brings new burdens to people working outdoors. Migrant populations working at brick kilns in India are one such group facing dangerously overheated working conditions. Many migrate to the kilns from rural areas under bonded labor conditions. We argue that solutions need to go beyond industry-oriented technology-based solutions and focus on the social problem and take a people focused stance. In addition to adopting more locally appropriate technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and heat in the work environment, solutions focusing on the workers situation must be considered from a human rights perspective.

scholarly journals Psychosocial factors associated with occupation: A comparative study between brick kiln and grocery workers

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-20
Author(s):  
Seshananda Sanjel ◽  
Sanjay N. Khanal ◽  
Ajay Risal ◽  
Steven M. Thygerson ◽  
Sunil K. Joshi
Keyword(s):  
Psychosocial Factors ◽  
Psychosocial Functioning ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Reference Group ◽  
Social Factor ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Sampling Frame ◽  
Brick Kiln ◽  
Brick Kilns ◽  
The Social

Background: Psychosocial factors, like physical, chemical and biological factors, are also the potential hazards. But, psychological factors, such as stress, are not mentioned in every kinds of occupation.  Some important psychosocial manifestations found among the workers in previous studies were headache, depression, frustration, worry, low self-esteem, boredom and lack of sleep. Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate and psychosocial factors that are associated with occupational factor between brick kiln workers and grocery workers. Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in Kathmandu Valley during February-March 2015 i, targeting all the brick kiln workers. Firstly, all the registered the brick kilns (106 in number) were visited to form the potential sampling frame. Multi-stage probability proportionate to size sampling was applied to select 400 brick kiln workers from 16 brick kilns who had been working there for more than two years. An equal size unmatched reference group was maintained from the grocery workers. Interviews were conducted by trained health workers. Data was entered in the Microsoft (MS) excel and was transferred into the International Business Machines (IBM) Corporation. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) Statistics 21 was used to perform analysis. Both descriptive and (mean, median and inter-quartile range) and inferential (Mann Whitney U test) statistics were computed. The level of significance was set at <0.05. Results: Nearly 20.0% of exposed workers were <19 years of age among which slightly above three fifth achieved primary education. Almost 40% of brick kiln workers were ever smokers. Positive factors of psychosocial and emotional functioning were lower and negative factors were higher among brick kiln workers. The parameters of relationships such as self-esteem, stress and personal agency and the parameters of emotions like emotional, somatic, chronic fear, anxiety, hopelessness, helplessness, abuse and mal-treatment were better and significantly better respectively, in the reference group than the exposed group.  However, the social factor was significantly poor among the reference group i.e. the grocery workers as observed while conducting Mann Whitney U test at p<0.05 level. Conclusion: Among most of the parameters, brick kiln workers' psychosocial functioning was significantly poorer than the grocery workers. Providing formal and/or non-formal education as well as raising awareness about the deleterious effects of the exposure to brick kiln workers  should be recommended.

scholarly journals Accessing Labour, Resources and Institutions: Women Laborers in Brick Kiln of Jamune Bhanjyang, Tanahun , Nepal

2017 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. 56-74
Author(s):  
Prakash Upadhyay
Keyword(s):  
Rural Women ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Urban Areas ◽  
Working Hours ◽  
Critical Dimension ◽  
Interdisciplinary Studies ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Brick Kiln ◽  
Brick Kilns

The key argument of this paper is that the changing nature of women’s involvement in non-agricultural labor force has added a critical dimension in the development process of Nepal. This relationship between involvement and development has been affected by nature of women’s employment, education, family responsibility and state policy. The major objective of this paper is to analyze critical issues, condition, tribulations and options associated with the livelihoods of women labourers working in brick kiln. For meeting the objectives, qualitative and quantitative data from both primary and secondary sources were used. Primary data were collected via self administered questionnaire, interview, observation and case study. The study findings reveal that due to poverty, low education and skills, many rural women are concentrated in low-skilled and low-paid employment in urban brick kilns where they suffer from gender discriminations, exploitations and male chauvinism in salary, working hours, promotion and facilities. Gender relation has been foremost in determining control over and access to labour, resources, institutions and services. Hence, understanding the different role of women and men is critical to understanding how that system affects women labour, reward, punishment, productivity and sustainability in brick kilns. Policies should consider women labourers easy access to education and information on their rights, as well as supportive institutions and legal measures to ensure their safety, gender rights and encourage private sector development in rural areas that can increase job opportunities for rural women hence reducing their brisk migration to urban areas for job.Janapriya Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, Vol. 5 (December 2016), page:56-74

scholarly journals The Impact of Shared Versus Individual Office Space on Therapist Appraisal of Their Work Environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. i26
Author(s):  
Shane L Rogers ◽  
Stephen J Edwards ◽  
Rebecca Perera
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Social Environment ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Primary Objective ◽  
Physical Work ◽  
Office Space ◽  
The Social ◽  
The Impact

Objective:  The primary objective was to investigate the impact of shared versus individual office space on therapist appraisal of the work physical and social environment, and overall appraisal of working conditions. Method:  Therapists (n = 59) from Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Western Australia were surveyed about their appraisal of the social and physical work environment, in addition to their overall appraisal of working conditions. Results:  Compared to therapists with individual offices, therapists occupying shared office space reported lower appraisal of the work physical environment and lower overall appraisal of working conditions. No difference was found between groups for appraisal of the work social environment. Additionally, when statistically controlling for office space, both the appraisal of the social and physical environment made an independent contribution to the prediction of overall work satisfaction. Conclusion:  This research reveals that shared office space can negatively impact therapist appraisal of their work environment and reduce overall appraisal of working conditions. Additionally, results reveal the high importance of the physical environment for staff satisfaction in a mental health service.

Quantifying poor working equid welfare in Nepalese brick kilns using a welfare assessment tool

2020 ◽  
Vol 187 (11) ◽  
pp. 445-445 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joao Brandao Rodrigues ◽  
Rebekah J E Sullivan ◽  
Andrew Judge ◽  
Stuart Lee Norris ◽  
Faith A Burden
Keyword(s):  
Working Conditions ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Brick Kiln ◽  
Poor General Health ◽  
Predominant Species ◽  
Brick Kilns ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
Working Equids ◽  
Assessment Research

BackgroundAcross Asia the brick-kiln industry is expanding. In Nepal, urban dwelling has increased in recent years, raising requirement for low-cost, mass produced bricks to meet the population needs. Working equids (WEs) play a key role in non-mechanised kilns. Assessing the welfare of these equids is the starting point to addressing concerns. In line with One Welfare principles, the health and welfare of animals, people and the kiln environment are interlinked.Materials and methodsIn December 2019, 119 WEs were assessed in seven brick kilns in three districts of Nepal, using the Equid Assessment Research and Scoping tool, developed by The Donkey Sanctuary. The objective was to measure welfare at the start of the brick kiln season.ResultsHorses were the predominant species of WE. Hazardous housing and environments were seen in all kilns. Behaviour responses were mixed. Owner responses and animal examination indicated poor working conditions. Signs of harmful practice were evident in most animals. The majority were underweight, with poor general health, skin alterations and musculoskeletal issues.ConclusionThe welfare of equids prior to starting brick kiln work is poor, posing significant concerns for the actual working period. Intervention to enhance health and welfare is required.

scholarly journals The Challenges of Writing Opinion Pieces in Social Work: A National Online Survey of Swedish Social Workers’ Experiences of Influencing Public Opinion

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jörgen Lundälv
Keyword(s):  
Public Opinion ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Work Environment ◽  
Social Workers ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Public Debate ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Social ◽  
New Treatment

Abstract Social workers have an important role to play and a voice to make heard in the public debate. They can make a difference both by working in preventive social work and by taking part in the shaping of public opinion. Being visible and active in the public debate about social work and social policy is a matter of democracy and participation, and provides many opportunities for social workers to explain different welfare terms, forms of support and new treatment methods. This article investigates the extent to which Swedish social workers make themselves visible in the public debate by writing opinion pieces in newspapers and social work journals. Publishing opinion pieces is only one alternative social workers have for contributing to public debate in society. A total of 1,583 social workers responded to an electronic online survey covering their experiences of active participation in the public opinion. The results show that only a limited proportion of these social workers participated in the public debate. Amongst those who had written opinion pieces, the emphasis was above all on the social workers’ own work environment and working conditions. Some of the survey participants had experienced disapproval, disparagement and threats directed at them.

scholarly journals Work safety applied in the rural environment: a review

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (12) ◽  
pp. e91101220179
Author(s):  
Eric Valero Carvalho da Silva ◽  
Filipe Pereira Lopes ◽  
Jair Antonio Cruz Siqueira ◽  
Luciene Kazue Tokura
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Agricultural Sector ◽  
Health And Safety ◽  
Rural Environment ◽  
Work Safety ◽  
Regulatory Standard ◽  
Field Workers ◽  
Rural Work

This paper aims to present the difficulties encountered in complying with Regulatory Standard No 31 - Occupational Health and Safety in Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry, Forestry and Aquaculture, in rural areas. The research was carried out through consultations in several scientific articles and was justified by the need to make field workers aware of the risks to which they are exposed, in the exercise of their activity. Through several studies that supported this work, it was possible to verify that the use of NR 31 is flawed, even with the scope and detail provided in its text. In the study it was found that, the rural work environment is worrying, due to the numerous risks that are present in the exercise of their activities and the disregard for non-compliance with NR-31. It is essential that government authorities, in addition to inspecting the faithful compliance with the standard, must carry out a work of awareness of workers and employers, aiming to provide an improvement in working conditions in the rural environment. The prioritization that should be given to awareness, education, training, and adequacy of working conditions becomes relevant, as a measure to prevent accidents and diseases in the agricultural sector.

Working conditions in a precarious work environment - A global study of aviation workers

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Greiner ◽  
E. Rosskam ◽  
V. McCarthy ◽  
M. Mateski ◽  
L. Zsoldos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Work Environment ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Precarious Work ◽  
Global Study

STAGES IN SOCIAL POLICY DEVELOPMENT

2018 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 265-272
Author(s):  
Venelin Terziev ◽  
Preslava Dimitrova
Keyword(s):  
Social Policy ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Social Relations ◽  
Policy Development ◽  
Social Groups ◽  
National Society ◽  
Complex Approach ◽  
The Social ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
The Relationship

The social policy of a country is a set of specific activities aimed at regulating the social relations between different in their social status subjects. This approach to clarifying social policy is also called functional and essentially addresses social policy as an activity to regulate the relationship of equality or inequality in society. It provides an opportunity to look for inequalities in the economic positions of individuals in relation to ownership, labor and working conditions, distribution of income and consumption, social security and health, to look for the sources of these inequalities and their social justification or undue application.The modern state takes on social functions that seek to regulate imbalances, to protect weak social positions and prevent the disintegration of the social system. It regulates the processes in society by harmonizing interests and opposing marginalization. Every modern country develops social activities that reflect the specifics of a particular society, correspond to its economic, political and cultural status. They are the result of political decisions aimed at directing and regulating the process of adaptation of the national society to the transformations of the market environment. Social policy is at the heart of the development and governance of each country. Despite the fact that too many factors and problems affect it, it largely determines the physical and mental state of the population as well as the relationships and interrelationships between people. On the other hand, social policy allows for a more global study and solving of vital social problems of civil society. On the basis of the programs and actions of political parties and state bodies, the guidelines for the development of society are outlined. Social policy should be seen as an activity to regulate the relationship of equality or inequality between different individuals and social groups in society. Its importance is determined by the possibility of establishing on the basis of the complex approach: the economic positions of the different social groups and individuals, by determining the differences between them in terms of income, consumption, working conditions, health, etc .; to explain the causes of inequality; to look for concrete and specific measures to overcome the emerging social disparities.

Success of Self Help Group – Bank Linkage Program in India under Financial Inclusion

2016 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ritu Singh
Keyword(s):  
Rural Areas ◽  
Commercial Banks ◽  
Financial Inclusion ◽  
Functional Reach ◽  
Self Help ◽  
Geographical Spread ◽  
The Social ◽  
Linkage Program ◽  
Self Help Group

The ‘social banking’ policies being followed by the country resulted in widening the geographical spread and functional reach of commercial banks in rural areas in the period that followed the nationalization of banks. This paper is concluded with a view that SHG – Bank Linkage program is a success in our country India and helping many people to make their life better.

Empathy not quarantined: Association between people’s empathy to others and the COVID-19 pandemic situations based on a national survey study (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhibin Jiang ◽  
Fan Yang ◽  
Bu Zhong ◽  
Xuebing Qin
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Social Media ◽  
National Survey ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Affective Response ◽  
Survey Study ◽  
Income Levels ◽  
The Social

BACKGROUND The Covid-19 pandemic had turned the world upside down, but not much is known about how people’s empathy might be affected by the pandemic. OBJECTIVE This study examined 1) how empathy towards others might be influenced by the social support people obtained by using social media; and 2) how the individual demographics (e.g., age, income) may affect empathy. METHODS A national survey (N = 943) was conducted in China in February 2020, in which the participants read three real scenarios about low-income urban workers (Scenario I), small business owners in cities (Scenario II), and farmers in rural areas (Scenario III) who underwent hardship due to COVID-19. After exposure to others’ difficulties in the scenarios, the participants’ empathy and anxiety levels were measured. We also measured the social support they had by using social media. RESULTS Results show that social support not only positively impacted empathy, β = .30, P < .001 for Scenario I, β = .30, P < .001 for Scenario II, and β = .29, P < .001 for Scenario III, but also interacted with anxiety in influencing the degree to which participants could maintain empathy towards others, β = .08, P = .010 for Scenario I, and β = .07, P = .033 for scenario II. Age negatively predicted empathy for Scenario I, β = -.08, P = .018 and Scenario III, β = -.08, P = .009, but not for Scenario II, β = -.03, P = .40. Income levels – low, medium, high – positively predicted empathy for Scenario III, F (2, 940) = 8.10, P < .001, but not for Scenario I, F (2, 940) = 2.14, P = .12, or Scenario II, F (2, 940) = 2.93, P = .06. Participants living in big cities expressed greater empathy towards others for Scenario III, F (2, 940) = 4.03, P =.018, but not for Scenario I, F (2, 940) = .81, P = .45, or Scenario II, F (2, 940) = 1.46, P =.23. CONCLUSIONS This study contributes to the literature by discovering the critical role empathy plays in people’s affective response to others during the pandemic. Anxiety did not decrease empathy. However, those gaining more social support on social media showed more empathy for others. Those who resided in cities with higher income levels were more empathetic during the COVID-19 outbreak. This study reveals that the social support people obtained helped maintain empathy to others, making them resilient in challenging times.

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