SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR HOME BASED WORKERS F indings and Implications from Action Research HOMENET SOUTH ASIA and INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL STUDIES TRUST Presented

SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR HOME BASED WORKERSHOME BASED WORKERS

FFindings and Implications from Action Researchindings and Implications from Action Research

HOMENET SOUTH ASIA andHOMENET SOUTH ASIA and INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL STUDIES TRUST INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL STUDIES TRUST

Presented at Workshop on Social Protection in Asia, Presented at Workshop on Social Protection in Asia, May 14-17, 2006, Bangkok.May 14-17, 2006, Bangkok.

Objectives and Objectives and Methodology Methodology of the studyof the study

Research Focus

Types of risks faced Sources/causes of vulnerability Formal and informal coping strategies usually used

Needs and social protection priorities of HBW

Other Research Concerns

Situation of home based workers in the changing economic scenario

Given a choice would women prefer to remain HBW or work in manufacturing units? What are the perceived advantages/disadvantages?

Are any categories of HBW being left out – such as frequent migrants, nomads, ethnic groups, poorest, etc.

Sectors chosen for studySectors chosen for study For comparability across countries, For comparability across countries, garments and weaving were chosen as the garments and weaving were chosen as the common sectors (India, Pakistan, common sectors (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal)Bangladesh and Nepal) The third sector was selected so as to The third sector was selected so as to include the poorest home based workersinclude the poorest home based workers Bangladesh Bangladesh – (1) Pottery makers – (1) Pottery makers (2) Pearl and Shell collectors(2) Pearl and Shell collectors India India – Agarbatti rollers– Agarbatti rollers Nepal Nepal – Handmade paper workers– Handmade paper workers Pakistan Pakistan – Pottery makers– Pottery makers Sri LankaSri Lanka – Coir workers – Coir workers

Characteristics of the sample Characteristics of the sample

Geographical areas and coverage of Geographical areas and coverage of urban, peri-urban and rural based urban, peri-urban and rural based HBWHBW

10% of sample should comprise men10% of sample should comprise men Both own-account and sub-contracted Both own-account and sub-contracted

HBWHBW Position of workers within the Position of workers within the

production lineproduction line Socio-economic, age and ethnic Socio-economic, age and ethnic

differencesdifferences

The study is based on both on qualitative as well as

quantitative aspects; and on secondary sources

Round 1 – Qualitative methods : FGDs and in-depth

Interviews

Round 2 – Quantitative methods : Survey

Round 3 – Case studies of ‘best practices’ : Schemes,

programmes and policies- both governmental

and non-governmental

Research Techniques

PARTICULARS PARTICULARS

Strength of study is in its Strength of study is in its identification of insecurities from the identification of insecurities from the perspective of the workerperspective of the worker

Not representative of national picture Not representative of national picture

Respondents by sector per country Respondents by sector per country

BanglaBangladeshdesh

IndiaIndia NepalNepal Pakistan Pakistan Pakistan*Pakistan* Sri Sri LankaLanka

Garments Garments 5050 5555 3030 1919 5555

Weaving Weaving 5050 5757 7979 1919 5656

Other Other 5050 5959 3434 1818 5555 151151

Total Total 150150 171171 143143 5656 166166 151151

Approaches to Social protection in Approaches to Social protection in South AsiaSouth Asia

Two pronged approach – social Two pronged approach – social security for organised sector workers security for organised sector workers and social welfare/ poverty alleviation and social welfare/ poverty alleviation programmes for vulnerable groups – programmes for vulnerable groups – efforts to extend outreach efforts to extend outreach

Lack of norms or framework for Lack of norms or framework for appropriate interventions for informal appropriate interventions for informal workersworkers

Key findings Key findings

Economic InsecuritiesEconomic Insecurities Social InsecuritiesSocial Insecurities Contextualising insecuritiesContextualising insecurities Elements of a framework for social Elements of a framework for social

protectionprotection

Economic Needs & Insecurities

13

8

7

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

14

Income related Liquidity related Enterprise Development related

Needs

Nu

mb

er

of

rep

on

se

s

More Work

Timely Payment

Market Information

Skill Training

Loans

WORK AND EARNINGSWORK AND EARNINGS

Majority of the sample across sectors Majority of the sample across sectors in India, Bangladesh and Nepal in India, Bangladesh and Nepal expressed stagnancy of work and expressed stagnancy of work and earning opportunities earning opportunities

In Bangladesh and Pakistan, majority In Bangladesh and Pakistan, majority of garment workers stated that they of garment workers stated that they felt an increase in work and earningsfelt an increase in work and earnings

Where increases were experienced in Where increases were experienced in other sectors, these were marginal. other sectors, these were marginal.

Changes in availability of work in Changes in availability of work in last two years (%)last two years (%)

ChangeChange Bangladesh Bangladesh India India Nepal Nepal Pakistan Pakistan

IncreasedIncreased 1919 2121 3232 4141

DecreasedDecreased 1717 1111 2323 2222

Remained Remained the samethe same

6262 6868 3636 2828

Don’t knowDon’t know 11 00 99 99

Change in earning in last two yearChange in earning in last two year19%

18%

61%

2%

Increased

Decreased

Remainedthe sameDon't know

14%

11%

74%

1%

29%

27%

38%

6%

39%

19%

25%

17%

Bangladesh

Nepal

India

Pakistan

GARMENTSGARMENTS

Availability of work - Garment

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Bangladesh India Nepal Pakistan

Countries

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Increased

Decreased

Remained the same

Changes in earning in last two years - Garment

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80


Countries

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Increased

Decreased

Remained the same

WEAVINGWEAVING

Changes in earning in last two years - Weaving

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90


Countries

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Increased

Decreased

Remained the same

WeavingWeaving

Changes in availability oF work - Weaving

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90


Countries

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Increased

Decreased

Remained the same

Social Insecurities and Needs

6

3

2

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Housing Health Labour benefits and laws

Needs

Nu

mb

er

of

res

po

ns

es

Maternity benefits

Minimum wage

Social insecuritiesSocial insecurities

Housing and habitatHousing and habitat Occupational health – and beyondOccupational health – and beyond

PERPETUATING POVERTYPERPETUATING POVERTYAND VULNERABILITY AND VULNERABILITY

Child care, child labour and Education Child care, child labour and Education

Especially for girl child Especially for girl child

Work Prior to Age 15

58

72

22

72

42 42

02

0

68

82

61

22

9 911

5

63

54

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90W

ea

vin

g

Sh

ell

/P

ea

rl

Ga

rme

nts

Po

tte

ry

Ag

arb

att

i

Ga

rme

nts

We

av

ing

Ha

nd

ma

de

pa

pe

r

We

av

ing

Ga

rme

nts

We

av

ing

Ga

rme

nts

Po

tte

ry I

Po

tte

ry I

I

Co

ir Y

arn

Re

ed

Ma

tm

ak

ing

Je

we

lle

ry

Ba

tik

Bangladesh India Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka

Country & Sector

Pe

rce

nta

ge

Illiteracy

70

92

47

32

40

80

38

78

0 0

19

15

5

26

55

2626

2416

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100W

ea

vin

g

Sh

ell

/P

ea

rl

Ga

rme

nts

Po

tte

ry

Ag

arb

att

i

Ga

rme

nts

We

av

ing

Ha

nd

ma

de

pa

pe

r

We

av

ing

Ga

rme

nts

We

av

ing

Ga

rme

nts

Po

tte

ry I

Po

tte

ry I

I

Co

ir Y

arn

Re

ed

Ma

tm

ak

ing

Je

we

lle

ry

Ba

tik

Bangladesh India Nepal Pakistan Sri Lanka

Country & Sector

Pe

rce

nta

ge

HBW: levels of poverty: incomes as % of HBW: levels of poverty: incomes as % of national per capita income (peak and lean national per capita income (peak and lean

seasons)seasons)BangladeshBangladesh weavingweaving 55 33

Shell/ Shell/ pearlpearl

55 22

garmentsgarments 1515 77

potterypottery 2121 1212

IndiaIndia agarbathiagarbathi 44 33


weavingweaving 1111 7.57.5


seasons)seasons)NepalNepal Handmade Handmade

paperpaper3030 1616

weavingweaving 3030 1717


PakistanPakistan weavingweaving 1616 1212


potterypottery 3131 1212


seasons)seasons)Sri LankaSri Lanka Coir yarnCoir yarn 66 44

reedreed 77 33

Mat Mat makingmaking

77 44

jewelleryjewellery n.a.n.a. n.a.n.a.

batikbatik 1616 1111

AVERAGE MONTHLY EARNINGS AVERAGE MONTHLY EARNINGS in US $in US $

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Garments

Weaving

Pottery

Pearl and shell

Agarbatti

Handmade paper

Peakperiod

Leanperiod

HETEROGENEITYHETEROGENEITY

Not based on work or sector but on Not based on work or sector but on location and national context location and national context

Within a sector, different groups have Within a sector, different groups have varying needs and economic hierarchies varying needs and economic hierarchies

Those from traditionally well off Those from traditionally well off communities vs. backwardcommunities vs. backward

Proximity to market/demand and other Proximity to market/demand and other facilities for education and healthcarefacilities for education and healthcare

GLOBAL MARKET GLOBAL MARKET Global context (economics/ politics) Global context (economics/ politics)

influence more HBW workers influence more HBW workers indirectlyindirectly rather than rather than directly: directly: influence through influence through increased export demand, competition increased export demand, competition from imports or new technology from imports or new technology

National policies are currently not National policies are currently not effectively mediating the influence of the effectively mediating the influence of the global market context on HBW global market context on HBW

Need capacity building for sectors to Need capacity building for sectors to survive or clear alternativessurvive or clear alternatives

Feminization – women less likely to switch Feminization – women less likely to switch over to new occupationsover to new occupations

SECTORSECTOR

Worker’s position in sectoral Worker’s position in sectoral production chain invisible. (agarbatti)production chain invisible. (agarbatti)

Workers not part of any chain and Workers not part of any chain and involved in face to face relationship involved in face to face relationship with local consumers (garments and with local consumers (garments and weaving)weaving)

Workers unaware of larger chain Workers unaware of larger chain possible or surrounding their work possible or surrounding their work (pottery) (pottery)

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATIONGEOGRAPHIC LOCATION

Handmade Paper sector benefits Handmade Paper sector benefits from location in Kathmandu valleyfrom location in Kathmandu valley

Pottery makers in Bangladesh and Pottery makers in Bangladesh and Pakistan faced the problem of Pakistan faced the problem of mounting transportation costs due to mounting transportation costs due to distance from markets. distance from markets.

SOCIO ECONOMIC POSITIONSOCIO ECONOMIC POSITION

Weak production capacity reflects a Weak production capacity reflects a compounding of vulnerabilitiescompounding of vulnerabilities

Poor linkages with urban marketsPoor linkages with urban markets Impossible to invest in new technologyImpossible to invest in new technology Product diversification difficultProduct diversification difficult Cater to seasonal local demandCater to seasonal local demand Low levels of literacyLow levels of literacy Low health statusLow health status Isolated community groupsIsolated community groups

COLLECTIVECOLLECTIVE

Predominant employment based on Predominant employment based on community tradition (shell/pearl community tradition (shell/pearl collectors, pottery, weaving)collectors, pottery, weaving)

Borrowings from relatives and Borrowings from relatives and neighbors emerges as the most neighbors emerges as the most significant crisis coping strategy.significant crisis coping strategy.

Future course for collective needs to Future course for collective needs to be taken on board for policy design.be taken on board for policy design.

PARTNERSHIPSPARTNERSHIPS

Many sources of socio- economic Many sources of socio- economic insecurity, hence need for multiple insecurity, hence need for multiple interventionsinterventions

Implies multi-agency, multi-issue Implies multi-agency, multi-issue interventionsinterventions

Implies many agencies working in a Implies many agencies working in a co-operative manner (facilitated by co-operative manner (facilitated by a shared conceptual framework)a shared conceptual framework)

Towards a frameworkTowards a framework Social protection interventions to be in Social protection interventions to be in

tune with anticipated development tune with anticipated development trajectory and approach to habitat (social trajectory and approach to habitat (social insecurities linked to habitat, beyond work insecurities linked to habitat, beyond work context)context)

Multi agency, multi issue interventions Multi agency, multi issue interventions needed, implying partnerships and shared needed, implying partnerships and shared conceptual frameworkconceptual framework

Locale specific approaches indicated given Locale specific approaches indicated given heterogeneity within sectorsheterogeneity within sectors

SP needs to address both immediate and SP needs to address both immediate and longer term needslonger term needs

Next StepsNext Steps

Developing an Approach to Developing an Approach to Social Protection for Home Social Protection for Home

based Workers in South Asiabased Workers in South Asia

HomeNet South AsiaHomeNet South Asia

Membership – 428 Organizations and Membership – 428 Organizations and 1,47,000 HBW1,47,000 HBW

Key Action Areas – Key Action Areas – • Organising and Networking of home based Organising and Networking of home based

workers and their organisations.workers and their organisations.• Supporting development of policy Supporting development of policy

frameworks and advocacy on key issues.frameworks and advocacy on key issues.• Developing a social protection programme Developing a social protection programme

for home based workersfor home based workers• Promoting fair trade practices and reaching Promoting fair trade practices and reaching

marketsmarkets

Home Net South AsiaHome Net South Asia

Emerging Concerns -Emerging Concerns -• Extreme Vulnerability of home based Extreme Vulnerability of home based

workers, especially womenworkers, especially women• Complete lack of social protectionComplete lack of social protection• Small successful interventionsSmall successful interventions• Invisibility of Home based workers in Invisibility of Home based workers in

policy dialoguepolicy dialogue

Proposed ProgramProposed Program

Three componentsThree components• POLICYPOLICY• RESEARCHRESEARCH• ACTIONACTION

Integrated and Regional ApproachIntegrated and Regional Approach

Research and policyResearch and policy

Developing a conceptual framework Developing a conceptual framework for Social Protection for Social for Social Protection for Social Protection for home based workers, Protection for home based workers, with a minimum set of entitlementswith a minimum set of entitlements

Advocacy with multiple stakeholdersAdvocacy with multiple stakeholders Repackaging research for advocacyRepackaging research for advocacy Clear articulation of proven social Clear articulation of proven social

security interventionssecurity interventions

Specific InterventionsSpecific Interventions BangladeshBangladesh

• Research and advocacy on Occupational HealthResearch and advocacy on Occupational Health• Adopting the poorest of the poor sectorAdopting the poorest of the poor sectorSri LankaSri Lanka

Including home based workers in national schemes for Including home based workers in national schemes for old age and health workersold age and health workers

NepalNepalPolicy for home based workers, micro insurancePolicy for home based workers, micro insurance

PakistanPakistanResearch for AdvocacyResearch for Advocacy

IndiaIndiaContribute to the ongoing policy debates and initiatives Contribute to the ongoing policy debates and initiatives on home based workerson home based workersAdvocacy with industry alliances Advocacy with industry alliances

Specific InterventionsSpecific Interventions

Home Net South AsiaHome Net South Asia• Social Security Technical Support for Social Security Technical Support for

Micro-insuranceMicro-insurance• Advocacy for ILO Convention and Policy Advocacy for ILO Convention and Policy

on home based workerson home based workers

THANK YOUTHANK YOU

Documents

SOCIAL PROTECTION FOR HOME BASED WORKERS F indings and Implications from Action Research HOMENET SOUTH ASIA and INSTITUTE OF SOCIAL STUDIES TRUST Presented