The unsuitable working conditions in the silk reeling industries led to increasing health issues like allergies and respiratory problem among the reelers.
Shivam, 50 – years – old is a silk reeler in Ramanagara for almost 30 years now. He lives with his wife and four children in a house that is not completely built. The house where this family lives has a single room with a kitchen attached to it. Pushpa, Shivam’s wife is also a silk reeler. She started to work in the silk reeling industry after getting married to Shivam. Shivam and Pushpa start reeling silk at 9 a.m every day. Usually, Shivam and Pushpa have two shifts but sometimes they will have three shifts.
During the process of reeling silk, the reeler has to immerse their hands in the water for longer hours. Immersing the hands in the cocoon-soaked water to reel silk causes skin allergies and respiratory problems. Shivam has worked in the silk reeling industry for years now. As a result of immersing their hands in the water for reeling silk from the cocoon, he has allergies in his hands. Initially, his allergies were not severe. He took medicines available in the pharmacies. But now his hands are in extremely bad condition because of these allergies.
When Shivam consulted a doctor about his allergies, the doctor asked him about his work and then confirmed that these allergies are caused because of immersing his hands in the water for reeling silk from the cocoons.
Reeling is the main occupation in Ramanagara. Shivam worked in the silk reeling industry for about 30 years now, so he doesn’t want to start working anywhere because it will take time to get experience. Shivam and Pushpa earn Rs 300 each per day. Shivam and Pushpa have to look after their four children with their earnings. They choose to work in the silk reeling industry to not make their children suffer. Pushpa said that they will consult a doctor whenever his allergies get severe. The doctor had clearly stated that allergies are caused because of immersing hands in the cocoon-soaked water.
On speaking with the doctors from the Government District Hospital, Ramanagara, it was confirmed that there has been an increase in the number of patients suffering from allergies and respiratory problems.
Dr. Anil Kumar, Dermatologist at the District Hospital, Ramanagara said that per day on average they receive 90 to 150 patients. He said that among these patients most of them are the workers from the silk reeling industries. He said, “As silk reeling is the main occupation in Ramanagara, these workers get allergies because of the working conditions in the industries.
Anil Kumar said that the government should formulate rules about the working hours so that the workers won’t be immersing their hands for a longer time in the water for reeling silk. He added that the government can also provide gloves and masks for the reelers.
He said, “Conducting medical examinations before hiring the workers will help in not getting their allergies worse because some workers might have allergies before they start working.” He added regular medical check-ups will also help in addressing the health issues among the silk reelers.
The dermatologist said that even if the government starts providing gloves and masks, the owners of the silk reeling units have to follow the protocols for proper ventilation and sanitation in the reeling units. “Regular checks to confirm whether these protocols are followed has to be done by the government,” he said.
This is not just the state of Shivam. Other silk reelers in Ramanagara also have similar health issues like respiratory problems.
Raghavendri is another silk reeler who has been working in the silk reeling industry for almost 25 years now. While reeling silk the steam released makes it difficult for her to breathe properly. The silk industry where Raghavendri works has no proper ventilation facility. The industry hardly has two windows. The improper ventilation facility in the reeling units makes the reelers feel suffocated.
Dr. Latha, General Physician at the District Hospital said that she has been working in the District Hospital for the past six months. In these six months, she noticed that every fourth person who comes for a consultation has allergy problems. When she tried to look deeper into the issue, she found that the workers in the silk reeling industries work without following any protective measures.
Dr. Latha said, “Most of the reelers are not aware of what protective measures they have to follow to avoid these health problems.” She added that the owners of the silk reeling industries have to take necessary steps for their employees.
The doctor says that there might be chances for getting health problems related to the lungs.
“Improper ventilation in the silk reeling industries is the reason for respiratory – related problems,” Dr. Latha said. To avoid these health issues, Dr. Latha said, “Basic protocols like proper ventilation and providing protective masks, and gloves has to be followed.”
Dr. Latha also insisted on regular check-ups so that it would help in detecting the health issues earlier. She added the government can take some measures like introducing insurance scheme for the reelers. “Fixed working hours also matter, they should not work for more than eight hours,” she said. But, the silk reelers sometimes work for three shifts.
A study on occupational asthma among workers of silk filatures in South India was conducted in Ramanagara. A study group consisting of 120 workers from the reeling units was called up for the study. To compare, a control group of 120 individuals who were not working in the silk reeling units was also included.
The study found the prevalence of occupational asthma among workers of silk filatures was 20.83 percent. The study noticed that 35.83 percent of people in the study group and 20.83 percent of individuals in the control group were identified to be sensitive to silk allergens.
The study concludes that there is a high prevalence of silk allergen sensitivity and bronchial asthma of occupational origin among the workers of silk reeling units in Ramanagara. The study suggests health education regarding the symptoms of bronchial asthma, preventive measures to reduce the exposure to silk allergen and adoption of Automatic Reeling Machines will greatly reduce the health issues in the reeling units.
A similar study conducted by the Institute for Social and Economic Change on Silk Reeling and Health in 2003 found the percentage of reelers suffering from respiratory and allergic issues. This study was executed in Sidlaghatta town, in Kolar district. Around 229 (112 male workers and 117 female workers) workers from the reeling industries were examined to identify the percentage of workers who have health problems. The results showed that respiratory problems are the most significant problem that the reelers face. It is found that among these 229 workers in the reeling industries, 42 percent of women and 24 percent of men suffered from respiratory problems like cough and wheezing.
The study mentions that to extract the silk yarn, the cocoons are boiled to soften the sericin gum holding the silk together. During the process of boiling the cocoons, sericin and pupal allergens are released in the steam which is inhaled by the workers and causes breathing difficulties (including asthma) and other health problems. These allergens might also cause skin allergies.
A study on the Health Risks in the Silk Industry conducted in Tamil Nadu also mentions that workers of silk reeling units are mainly affected by Dermatitis. This is caused because of the decomposition products of the dead chrysalis and a parasite in the cocoon. The study states that during the process of unwinding the silk fibers the workers put their bare hands into hot water in which the cocoons are immersed. This results in blisters in their hands leading to secondary infection.
It also found that silk reeling units are prone to fungal and other skin infections like deramatophytosis (ringworm infection) due to the immersion of hands for longer hours. The improper and unhygienic drainage systems in the reeling units also infect the feet of the reelers due to constant contact with damp floors.
A study on health problems in silk reeling units conducted in Ramanagara concludes that there is high prevalence of occupational asthma among the workers.
Srinivasa Sharma, Assistant Director at the Department of Sericulture said that silk cannot be unwound from the cocoon if the workers are wearing gloves. He said, “To avoid these health issues some of the industries have Automatic Reeling Machines but it is not affordable for all the silk reeling industry owners.” He added that in Ramanagara currently, around 15 industries use automatic reeling machines. He said that the department gives support only to the owners of the industries and not to the workers in the reeling units.
Speaking about the infrastructure and ventilation facilities Srinivasa said that a lot of industries are very old and established within the owner’s residence.
“The workers in the reeling units are from poor families so, just to earn and support their family they choose to do this work without considering any health problems,” Srinivasa said.
On asking about the inspections in the reeling units, the Assistant Director said that they sometimes visit the industries. He added that even if the government takes measures to introduce any insurance scheme for the workers, they are not willing to take it.
He said, “The workers say that per day they earn around Rs. 300 and with this amount they want to spend on something rather than paying for insurance every month.
But when Pushpa and Raghavendri were asked about the insurance policy, they are not aware of it.
As the assistant director said the industries that use automatic reeling machines for reeling silk don’t need the workers to immerse their hands in the water. The workers have to monitor the machine. Also, there are proper ventilation facilities in these industries. Whereas the industries that use the old reeling machines have no proper ventilation facilities.
On speaking about the proper ventilation and protective measures to Chetan, one of the owners of the silk reeling industry said that if they install many windows in the reeling units then the quality of silk will be affected and it will be a loss to them.
The owner stated the reason for not installing windows in the industry. He said that if they install more windows for ventilation then the air that enters the industry from outside will affect the quality of the silk. However, the reason stated by the owner is not proven.
An official from the Department of Sericulture at the University of Agricultural Sciences said that the reelers community is neglected by the government. He said, “The government mainly focuses on the production of cocoons the farmers who grow these worms and produce the cocoons.” He said that there is no specific department for the reelers. He also said that the government should look into the insurance policies for the reelers.
He said, “Most of the owners ignore the health problems in the reeling industries.” He added that the state inside the reeling industries is called ‘Mill dampness’ which means that it will be very suffocating inside to work. He said that the reeling machines will also be running and it will generate some heat inside the reeling industries. The heat and the smoke released during the process of reeling silk will harm the workers.
He confirmed that installing more windows in the reeling industries won’t affect the quality of silk. He said, “The industries that use automatic reeling machines have windows and there is proper ventilation.” He insisted that ventilation facilities should be made must in the silk reeling industries.
The International Labor Organization (ILO) report says that natural silk can cause problems during all stages of production. It suggests that controlling temperature, humidity and ventilation is important at all stages of the silk industry. It suggests that industries that use charcoal stoves should be replaced by electric heaters or other warming devices. In order to prevent allergies, lowering the temperature of reeling baths, and replacing the water frequently has to be followed and direct contact with raw silk immersed in reeling baths should be avoided.
The ILO report mentions the protective measures taken in the silk industries in Japan. The usage of charcoal fires in the cottage industries which are poorly ventilated resulted in carbon monoxide toxicity among the workers. It also states that washing hands with a three percent acetic acid solution has been found effective in Japan.
The ILO report presents that good sanitary facilities and medical examination of newly hired workers and medical supervision thereafter are also advisable.
Gowtham Ghosh, a Public Health Professor at the Institute of Health Management Research said that the workers in the silk reeling industries belong to unorganized sector and so they are not being protected by any law or guideline. “This is a genuine issue that silk reelers are facing so, the government has to form a group and start working to resolve these issues,” Gowtham said.
He added there is no recent study or research conducted about the health issues in the silk reeling units. “At least through the studies or research these issues will be addressed,” he said.
Gowtham said, “The reelers might think that they will not get paid for a day if they go to hospital for check-ups.” He suggested that adopting Automatic Reeling Machines will help in avoiding health issues.
Gowtham points out a few of the measures like increasing the break time between each shift so that the workers won’t immerse their hands in the cocoon-soaked water continuously for longer a period. Adding to it, he said that the government has to plan for inspecting the silk reeling industries.
