A Study of Socio-Economic Conditions of Coffee Plantation Laborers in Kodagu District

Abstract

Coffee first found its way to Coorg in the early 19^th century through the efforts of British officer captain Scott who introduced coffee beans from Yemen and recognized the regions favorite climate and soil conditions for coffee cultivation.   Today coffee drinking has become a tradition. The main objectives were to study the socio economic profile of the respondents and their level of financial empowerment in Coorg. To examine the gender disparities in between the plantation laborers and to study the work environment and problems of the labor. The Plantation Labor Act of 1951 covers the coffee estate labour work conditions. The variables used in the study are demographic factors gender age religion caste education marital status occupation and education. socio economic conditions studied family profile economic factors such as debt sources of income subsidiary income savings monthly expenditure and memberships in SHGs Work conditions related to leave facilities and healthcare and overtime. Both  primary and secondary data was used and the research design was descriptive in nature with a survey study and data collection by questionnaire method and using sample design stratified sampling technique. The findings showed that the economic conditions  were critical with all the workers being debt ridden and landless with the plantation work being their only source of income.