Shifting of economic responsibilities on vulnerable shoulders for survival of families: a scenario from mining industry in India

ContextMining industry has boomed precipitously to provide for demand of metal and minerals for emerging infrastructure. It is major occupation in India involving large work force, although it is hazardous. Aims: To assess the socio-demographic profile of sandstone mine workers in Jodhpur and to identify their major social issues. Material and MethodsStudy design: Cross-sectional study; Setting: Residential area of mine workers, Jodhpur, Rajasthan; Participants: Mine workers residing in residential areas in Jodhpur district for more than 6 months, and who gave consent for participation in study. Data on socioeconomic status and occupation of each family members was collected; Analysis: Data was analysed using SPSS v.23. P value <0.05 was considered as statistically significant. ResultsOne thousand six hundred four mine workers were enrolled in study. More than three fourth (78.7%) of them were male. Their age ranged between 14 to 82 years with mean age of 37.62 {+/-} 12.30 years. Mean age of female workers was significantly higher than of male workers. Average years of working for males was significantly higher than females. Mean age of entry into mines for male workers (20.33 {+/-} 6.69) was significantly lower than females (24.59 {+/-} 8.52). About 2.68% children below 14 years of age were involved in any sort of income generation activity. Conclusions: Majority of mine workers were of young age group. Major socioeconomic issues found were illiteracy, child marriage, child labour, loneliness and shifting economic responsibilities on females. Strengths and limitationsRobust dataset, complete enumeration, large sample size. Key messagesO_ST_ABSWhat is already known about this subject?C_ST_ABSThe miners work under exploitative conditions and their families live in severe poverty with no access to health services. Families living close to the mines and are prone to developing silicosis from secondary exposure, they are also prone for malnourishment, tuberculosis and other comorbid conditions. Early deaths of the male earning member lead to vulnerable members of family to take the job for their livelihood. There are many reported widow villages where there is no male member due to death of the same by pneumoconiosis. What is the new findings?There is increasing burden on the shoulders of the vulnerable groups (children, females and elderly) among families of sandstone miners in India. Illiteracy, child marriage, child labour and loneliness are among major social problems in these families. How might this impact on policy in the foreseeable future?Families where the main bread earner died of pneumoconiosis could be provided pension to supplement for their food and health expenses requirement. Rajasthan state in India has recently launched "Silicosis Policy", and this study signifies the importance of implementing such polices in other states in India.