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Child Labour in Coffee Estates
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Many
children are working in the coffee estates. Poverty and
deprivation are the main reasons that many children are
forced to abandon their studies and join the work force in
the coffee estates.
Kuppan
belongs to Motur village. He has two girl children who are
working in the coffee estates. He says, “My wife is
afflicted with seizure and fits. One day while there was
nobody at house, she got seizure and fell on the burning
stove. Her head and hands and legs have been badly injured
in this fire accident. Now she is bedridden. I had no
option but to send my two daughters who were studying in
6th and 8th standard to stop their studies and send them
to work. I am aware of the dangerous work my children do.
They have to carry pesticides which are highly poisonous
on their head and spray on the coffee plants and the
horticultural plants. They constantly complaint of head
ache, bruises on hands, nausea and vomiting. I do not have
any choice but be deaf to their pleas. They earn Rs.25 per
day and since I need this income I am helpless but to send
my children to work.” |
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Coffee Farmers in the Grip of Money
Lenders
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The small
coffee farmers have other threat facing them through the
money lenders. In the absence of any institutional credit,
they are forced to borrow money from the money lenders at
exorbitant rate of interest. For example if they need
Rs.1000 (Around 12 pounds) - Rs.100 (1 pound and 15 pence
is charged as commission) and every week the farmer has to
pay an exorbitant interest of Rs.125/- (1 pound and 45
pence). In case they fail then with penalty they have to
pay an added interest in the subsequent week at Rs.175
which works out to 2 pounds. Within 10 weeks the money has
to be returned.
Ramaswamy and his wife Rajeshwari say “Our children were
sick and we had no option but had to borrow the money. We
both are working as labourers in the coffee estates. We
get our weekly wages on Saturday. The money lenders will
be standing outside the estate and snatch the money from
us even before we can reach home. As we do not have any
other institutional support we have to surrender to the
exorbitant interest rates of the money lenders.” |
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Sexual
Abuse of Tribal Women in Estates
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Sexual abuse
of impoverished tribal women working in the coffee estates
is common phenomenon. The estate management engages range
of outsiders to manage and supervise the labour operations
in the estates. These men sexually exploit the tribal
women. As their wages are determined by the supervisors,
the women silently suffer.
Chinnamma is 19 years old unmarried girl. While working in
the coffee estate the Manager expressed interest in her
and promised to marry her. In the expectation of marriage
she succumbed to his desires and became pregnant. As the
estate belongs to powerful group with high political
interests, the poor girl could do nothing but to express
her problem to her family. The family approached the
village elders. Most often the community has lot of
superstitious believes. They told that if she walks along
on the fire near the village deity and she is not bruised
then they will accept her version. The girl accepted their
condition and walked on raw fire and ended up bruised and
hence the village elders are also not taking side with the
girl. The young girl had still born baby and now she is at
home terrorised at the thought of working not only in
coffee estate but any other work. The estate manager has
escaped scot free and it is believed that he has bribed
the village elders so that they take favourable decision
towards him. |
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Migration
Leading to HIV/AIDS among Coffee Farmers
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Valli is
aged 29 years with three girl children. She lost her
husband last year due to AIDS. Now medical reports have
confirmed that she too is afflicted with AIDS. In the
absence of appropriate nutrition, she is suffering from
multiple ailments. Her eldest daughter who is 12 years old
has been removed from the school and sent to work as now
she is the only bread winner for the family.
Valli is in deep sorrow at the future of her children
after her death. She says there are atleast 3 more couples
in her village who are in the similar stage. She says, “IF
only we had employment at our place this predicament would
not have come upon us “ |
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Kuppayi is
yet another tribal woman who lost her husband two years
back and herself afflicted with AIDS. She has two
daughters and one son who were also subjected to medical
tests. Fortunately they have tested negative. Kuppayi
says, “I am happy that my children have not become victims
to this deadly disease, but what is in store for their
future?” |
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Goitre a
Major Health Issue in Yercaud
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Goitre is
another major health issue in the region affecting large
tribal population. Most often it is affliction starts in
the age group of 15 plus in which develops into a full
blown growth in 5-10 years. Apart from the physical
deformity, the persons affected with it are unable to
carry on their normal activities as they feel tired and
often have breathlessness.
Ramayi says, “I was married when I was 15 years old and
have 3 children. When I was 19 years the problem of Goitre
started. Now I am 33 and unable to cope up with normal
work. Even my mother had the same problem. I am afraid my
children may be afflicted with the same problem. I know 3
people in my village who got operated but did not survive
and hence I am afraid of surgical intervention. We do not
have any appropriate health services where we could get
regular treatment for this. I previously used to engage in
coffee estate regularly, now because of this problem I am
restricting my work as my unable to cope with the same.” |
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