The workshop on “Mica, livelihood and food security” was conducted  by Alternative for India Development  on 29th May 2007 at central library in Giridih. About 60 people participated in this event that included stakeholders active in the field of scrap mica mining. The primary purpose of the workshop was to bring about a shared and enhanced understanding amongst the participants on the issues of livelihood of mica workers, their related IGP activities and the role and policy perspective of the line departments like mining, forest and labour.

The main objective of the workshop was to:

• Sensitize mining, forest and labour departments about mica issues

• Evolve a common platform to minimise and solve  mica related problems

• Develop a shared understanding of issues concerning mica mining families 

• Share the problems of local participants and create a problem solving strategy

• Develop a district level joint committee by government and non- government organisations to solve the mica related issues

•  Make a clear action plan  for networking and advocacy at district level

Prior to the workshop discussion was held with the DFO of the  forest department and the DMO of the mining department at Giridih. The facts and figures collected by AID team was presented and brought to the notice of the DC, Mr. Virendra Ram.

The issues of mining,  leasing of land, forest rules and its limitation in the region were discussed during the workshop. The primary stakeholders as participants highlighted their problems and their dependency on mica mining as the only means of livelihood. They narrated their experience on dhibra (mica) picking, exploitation at the hands of local traders and middlemen and how they have to face the unfair trading for selling of  the collected mica at non remunerative price. They demanded the recognition of the scrap mica mining and consider mica labour under unorganised sector. They urged the government to provide compensation in case of any occupational accident to the poor mica workers of the region. Mica traders present  at the workshop also discussed the background of the region and highlighted the present day scenario of mica workers. The speakers also stressed the need for finding IGP in the region for the mica workers and their family through cooperative and other government sources.

The committee of the mica workers, called Abrakh Yuva Sanghsh Vahini (AYSV) took decision to raise a common platform for advocacy at district and the state level. Discussion on formation of a  joint committee at the district level with government and the NGOs to minimise and solve the mica worker's family also took place at the workshop.

Presentation of  a song on the theme of exploitation and livelihood by AYSV was the concluding part  of  the workshop.

The workshop helped in sensitizing the district level government officials concerning the mica mining in the region. The District Welfare Officer and the District Mining Department of Giridih gave assurance to constitute a district level committee in the presence of the DC of Giridih to look into the problems of mica dependent poor families. The District welfare department has further given assurance to AYSV and the SHGs to improve their livelihood and help in providing the basic rights of mica child labour and youth workers. It will also arrange  for the stipend to all students belonging to the weaker section. As an impact of the workshop the District welfare officer issued a letter to the Block Welfare Officer to immediately release the stipend to those children who had participated in the workshop.
The local MP  Mr. Babulal Marandi has also assured to look into the matter of the mica dependent families. The workshop concluded with an evaluation  and a vote of thanks by the organiser.