Working Environment and Quality of Worklife in Cashew Processing Units in Kollam District

Abstract

The cashew nut processing industry is a major sector in food processing industry in India  and it plays a critical role by giving employment to a large number of rural women from the lowest social strata of the society.   This study was conducted to assess the status of working environment in cashew processing units in Kollam district and to compare the differences in the quality of working environment provided by public and private units.  The study also assesses the Quality of Work Life (QWL)  of employees and compare the differences in the QWL in public and private sector units.    A well structured questionnaire was employed to interview the workers and the findings were that the working environment of the cashew processing units is not up to the mark and comparatively public sector units provide a better working place than private sector units in terms of drinking water, urinals and latrines, pollution, ventilation and unhealthy environment.