BRINGING IN, LIVING IN, FALLING OUT: Labour market transitions of Indian plantation sector, A survey

Abstract

The plantation sector is undoubtedly a key sector under inclusive growth regimen. Plantation assumes special significance not only as a source of foreign exchange but also due to its contribution towards the employment of millions of plantation labourers, namely women who have hitherto been bypassed by the process of economic growth and face multiple deprivations. The objective of this paper is to review studies on labour market issues in the Indian plantation sector. The review is intended to throw some insights into the challenges faced by plantation labourers focusing on the issues namely the role of labour market institutions in plantations, nature of industrial relations prevailing in the sector and most importantly, the impact of production organisational innovations in the sector. Studies on social and economic status of workers as well as their working and living conditions are also discussed. This would serve to guide us to identify the underlying research gaps in the existing literature which sets the basis for future study.