Abstract:
The status report on workers in rubber and spices plantations tries
to capture the various dimensions of livelihood among the workers in
these two sectors. History of plantation sector in Kerala was also studied
to analyze the socio economic issues persistent in these sectors. As these
two sectors provide significant amount of revenue and employment to
the state their share in Kerala’s economy was also studied. Conceptual
framework developed by USAID and ILO was used to evaluate the
livelihood assets of plantation workers. Livelihood assets were classified
into physical, natural, financial, human, social, political and welfare for
the study purpose. A pilot study was undertaken because of lack of
available data. The report was able to reach at a general conclusion that
the workers in rubber plantations are better off whereas the condition of
workers in spices plantation remain vulnerable in every sphere of
livelihood necessitating further study in this regard.
