Problems and Prospects of Women Workers in Agro and Allied Industries in Kashmir Valley

Abstract

Women from poor background accept any economic work to assist their families under very inferior working conditions. They are mainly supplementary earners and their stay in labour force is of temporary nature which declines with the improvement in their economic conditions. A large percentage of women are also found to be engaged in agriculture because it is an occupation which provides work opportunities to women irrespective of their age, education, marital status etc. In this background 10 Districts of Kashmir (JandK) were chosen because of spread of different industrial units in Agriculture and Allied sector with respect to women falling in different age groups. In the present study 560 respondents were selected randomly who are working in 13 Agro and 11 Allied industrial units product-wise. But in total 58 agro base and 20 allied industrial units have been covered in this study. Independent variables included the age, education, and marital status, size of family, type of family and yearly income of a family they belong. Similarly occupational variables covered type of job, nature of employment, daily care of children of the respondents etc. Dependent variables included job satisfaction, work environment, and the facilities provided by the industrial units, salary/other allowances, lunch break/ rest periods and relations with coworkers/seniors. Besides problems faced by women workers at work place and at house hold levels have been also studied in addition to frequency of decisions on social and economic empowerment in context of impact of women employment. The industrial environment in the Kashmir is yet to grow up to optimum level though there is enormous potential and scope in both the sectors of Agro and Allied industries. The women participation in both the sectors is still low as men dominate most of the activities at the functional level. The involvement of women in decisions on social and economic matters needs improvement to enhance their participation, efficiency, confidence and overall social and..