An analysis of livelihood and economic challenges of fireworks manufacturing community in Sri Lanka
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Date
2019-09-12
Authors
Galapitage, D. G. C. M.
Prasada, D. V. P.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University of Peradeniya
Abstract
Manufacturing fireworks is essentially a low-tech, high labour-intensive industry in Sri Lanka. A large number of families in and around Kimbulapitiya in Katana divisional secretariat, Sri Lanka are engaged in fireworks manufacturing and many more depend on the industry indirectly. The fire crackers are made by females and children in those areas as self-employment apart from larger factories. The sustainable livelihoods framework, a tool developed to understand of livelihoods of people, to assess the continuity of working conditions in the fireworks industry was used. The method aims to identify various factors affecting livelihoods in terms of livelihood assets and vulnerability context. The transforming structures and processes are also taken into consideration. The 102 respondents from the families of fireworks manufacturing were interviewed. Factors affecting the likelihood of respondents remaining in the industry within next 5 years was studied and found that increasing market demand, job satisfaction and age reduce the likelihood of exit (P=0.05). Second, the factors affecting reported breathing difficulties and was examined and found that normal firecrackers, radiant wheels, and noisy crackers are associated with statistically significant levels of breathing difficulty (p =0.05) while the link is not significant for sparklers and skyrockets. Overall, results highlight the weak structures and processes in this risky livelihood. Addressing these factors is necessary to ensure sustainability of the cottage industry and to ensure decent work conditions for workers.
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Keywords
Cottage industry , Fireworks , Sustainable livelihoods , Workplace safety Sri Lanka