Women farmhand bear brunt of agri crisis in Punjab

Aman Sood
Tribune News Service
Patiala, March 24

In Punjab, the annual income of households run by women employed in the fields, either on contract or as casual labour, is an abysmal  Rs 77,198, reveals a study by Prof Gurinder Kaur and Assistant Professors Jyoti, Dr Dharampal and Dr Veerpal Kaur of Punjabi University.

Based on 1,017 such households in four districts each of Majha, Doaba and Malwa regions, the study reveals that it is the women farmhand who have borne the brunt of the agrarian crisis in Punjab. Most of them Dalits, 93.71 per cent are reeling under debt with the average debt per household standing at Rs 53,916.45 — more than 81 per cent from non-institutional sources. 

But these women farmhand are yet to get any government help in the shape of a scheme or incentive.  

The study, part of a book by Dr Gian Singh titled “Economic, Social and Political Participation of Rural  Women Labourers in Punjab”, says 90.46 per cent of the respondent women were not aware of  standard working hours. They knew nothing of the Minimum Wages Act. More than 36.87 per cent were not being paid equal wages for equal work.

“As many as 51.34 per cent  began working while in their teens. This severely impacted their studies,” says Dr Dharampal. They toil in the fields, collect cow dung and clean cattlesheds, besides other odd jobs. A large majority (91.84 per cent) is not provided any facility, such as childcare centres, first-aid and toilets. 

"One of the issues they face is sexual exploitation, but a majority are reluctant to talk about it,” adds Dr Gian Singh.