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  • 49 years old Joyce took a loan of Rs. 52,000 (1051$) from the bank to build her two room apartment. she pays mortgage of Rs. 500 per month. She lives in her new apartment with her husband and two daughters. Here she poses in front of her old hut. She shells raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0956.jpg
  • 43 years old Tankham is a widow. She has been working in the cashew industry since age 13. She is seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0810.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0625.jpg
  • 28 year old Basanta is a mother of 2 boys. Her husband suffers from liver diseases and is unable to go to work. She is a sole earner in the family. She dreams of making 10,000 rupees (200$) a month but makes a mere 2000 rupees (40$) a month instead. She is a fast worker and peels about 8-10 kg of cashews a day. She has been working in the cashew industry for the past 15 years, she started working as a child labour when she was 13. nothing much has changed for her since then. Here she is seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0590.jpg
  • 50 year old Rita (left) is single. She has no one to take care of but spends most of her income in buying medicines. She earns Rs 500 (10$) a week and spend Rs. 200 (4$) on medicines every week. She is seen shelling raw cashews with other women in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0468.jpg
  • 50 year old Rita is single. She has no one to take care of but spends most of her income in buying medicines. She earns Rs 500 (10$) a week and spend Rs. 200 (4$) on medicines every week. She is seen shelling raw cashews with other women in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0442.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0167.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0069.jpg
  • 49 years old Joyce took a loan of Rs. 52,000 (1051$) from the bank to build her two room apartment. she pays mortgage of Rs. 500 per month. She lives in her new apartment with her husband and two daughters. She shells raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0994.jpg
  • 49 years old Joyce took a loan of Rs. 52,000 (1051$) from the bank to build her two room apartment. she pays mortgage of Rs. 500 per month. She lives in her new apartment with her husband and two daughters. She shells raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0989.jpg
  • 49 years old Joyce took a loan of Rs. 52,000 (1051$) from the bank to build her two room apartment. she pays mortgage of Rs. 500 per month. She lives in her new apartment with her husband and two daughters. She shells raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0909.jpg
  • 49 years old Joyce took a loan of Rs. 52,000 (1051$) from the bank to build her two room apartment. she pays mortgage of Rs. 500 per month. She lives in her new apartment with her husband and two daughters. She shells raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0879.jpg
  • 80 year old Annamal is one of the many women who work in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0804.jpg
  • 80 year old Annamal (right) is one of the many women who work in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0795.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0775.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0761.jpg
  • 80 year old Annamal (right) is one of the many women who work in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0726.jpg
  • The factory manager, Natrajan is seen interacting with the women workers as they are shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0686.jpg
  • 47 year old Rita Meri (centre) is seen shelling raw cashews in a cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0611.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0606.jpg
  • 28 year old Basanta (centre) is a mother of 2 boys. Her husband suffers from liver diseases and is unable to go to work. She is a sole earner in the family. She dreams of making 10,000 rupees (200$) a month but makes a mere 2000 rupees (40$) a month instead. She is a fast worker and peels about 8-10 kg of cashews a day. She has been working in the cashew industry for the past 15 years, she started working as a child labour when she was 13. nothing much has changed for her since then. Here she is seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0494.jpg
  • 28 year old Basanta is a mother of 2 boys. Her husband suffers from liver diseases and is unable to go to work. She is a sole earner in the family. She dreams of making 10,000 rupees (200$) a month but makes a mere 2000 rupees (40$) a month instead. She is a fast worker and peels about 8-10 kg of cashews a day. She has been working in the cashew industry for the past 15 years, she started working as a child labour when she was 13. nothing much has changed for her since then. Here she is seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0450.jpg
  • 50 year old Rita (centre) is single. She has no one to take care of but spends most of her income in buying medicines. She earns Rs 500 (10$) a week and spend Rs. 200 (4$) on medicines every week. She is seen shelling raw cashews with other women in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0401.jpg
  • A shelled raw cashew is posed for a photograph in a cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0359.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0327.jpg
  • 40 years old Mina Kumari is a mother of two children. She is the sole earner of the family and is looking after the children alone. Mina shows the shelled cashews for the photo. Her responsibility is to shell the nuts with the machine in a cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0252.jpg
  • 40 years old Mina Kumari is a mother of two children. She is the sole earner of the family and is looking after the children alone. Mina shows her fingers that are affected by the caustic acid that comes out of cashews. Her responsibility is to shell the nuts with the machine in a cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0229.jpg
  • 40 years old Mina Kumari is a mother of two children. She is the sole earner of the family and is looking after the children alone. Mina shows the shelled cashews for the photo. Her responsibility is to shell the nuts with the machine in a cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0227.jpg
  • 40 years old Mina Kumari is a mother of two children. She is the sole earner of the family and is looking after the children alone. Her responsibility is to shell the nuts with the machine in a cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0218.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0199.jpg
  • 47 years old Uma has been working with cashews since age 15. Here is seen with other women in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0146.jpg
  • 47 years old Uma has been working with cashews since age 15. Here is seen with other women in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0128.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0096.jpg
  • The manager of the cashew processing unit shows the roasted cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0088.jpg
  • Roasted cashew shells are reused as fuel for roasting in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0034.jpg
  • 49 years old Joyce took a loan of Rs. 52,000 (1051$) from the bank to build her two room apartment. she pays mortgage of Rs. 500 per month. She lives in her new apartment with her husband and two daughters. She shells raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0965.jpg
  • 49 years old Joyce took a loan of Rs. 52,000 (1051$) from the bank to build her two room apartment. she pays mortgage of Rs. 500 per month. She lives in her new apartment with her husband and two daughters. She shells raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0923.jpg
  • 49 years old Joyce took a loan of Rs. 52,000 (1051$) from the bank to build her two room apartment. she pays mortgage of Rs. 500 per month. She lives in her new apartment with her husband and two daughters. She shells raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0921.jpg
  • 49 years old Joyce took a loan of Rs. 52,000 (1051$) from the bank to build her two room apartment. she pays mortgage of Rs. 500 per month. She lives in her new apartment with her husband and two daughters. She shells raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0890.jpg
  • 80 year old Annamal is one of the many women who work in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0809.jpg
  • 80 year old Annamal (right) is one of the many women who work in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0793.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0786.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0778.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0752.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0733.jpg
  • 80 year old Annamal (centre) is one of the many women who work in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0702.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0644.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0566.jpg
  • 28 year old Basanta is a mother of 2 boys. Her husband suffers from liver diseases and is unable to go to work. She is a sole earner in the family. She dreams of making 10,000 rupees (200$) a month but makes a mere 2000 rupees (40$) a month instead. She is a fast worker and peels about 8-10 kg of cashews a day. She has been working in the cashew industry for the past 15 years, she started working as a child labour when she was 13. nothing much has changed for her since then. Here she is seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0551.jpg
  • 28 year old Basanta (left) is a mother of 2 boys. Her husband suffers from liver diseases and is unable to go to work. She is a sole earner in the family. She dreams of making 10,000 rupees (200$) a month but makes a mere 2000 rupees (40$) a month instead. She is a fast worker and peels about 8-10 kg of cashews a day. She has been working in the cashew industry for the past 15 years, she started working as a child labour when she was 13. nothing much has changed for her since then. Here she is seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0545.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0473.jpg
  • 50 year old Rita is single. She has no one to take care of but spends most of her income in buying medicines. She earns Rs 500 (10$) a week and spend Rs. 200 (4$) on medicines every week. She is seen shelling raw cashews with other women in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0425.jpg
  • 28 year old Basanta is a mother of 2 boys. Her husband suffers from liver diseases and is unable to go to work. She is a sole earner in the family. She dreams of making 10,000 rupees (200$) a month but makes a mere 2000 rupees (40$) a month instead. She is a fast worker and peels about 8-10 kg of cashews a day. She has been working in the cashew industry for the past 15 years, she started working as a child labour when she was 13. nothing much has changed for her since then. Here she is seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0391.jpg
  • 28 year old Basanta is a mother of 2 boys. Her husband suffers from liver diseases and is unable to go to work. She is a sole earner in the family. She dreams of making 10,000 rupees (200$) a month but makes a mere 2000 rupees (40$) a month instead. She is a fast worker and peels about 8-10 kg of cashews a day. She has been working in the cashew industry for the past 15 years, she started working as a child labour when she was 13. nothing much has changed for her since then. Here she is seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0389.jpg
  • 28 year old Basanta is a mother of 2 boys. Her husband suffers from liver diseases and is unable to go to work. She is a sole earner in the family. She dreams of making 10,000 rupees (200$) a month but makes a mere 2000 rupees (40$) a month instead. She is a fast worker and peels about 8-10 kg of cashews a day. She has been working in the cashew industry for the past 15 years, she started working as a child labour when she was 13. nothing much has changed for her since then. Here she is seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0374.jpg
  • Different types of shelled raw cashews are posed for a photograph in a cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0356.jpg
  • Shelled raw cashews are posed for a photograph in a cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0348.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0345.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling and polishing the raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0301.jpg
  • 55 years old Sulchana used to be a house wife until three years ago. She has three children who work as daily labourers. She joined the cashew factory for extra income and is seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0175.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0134.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0120.jpg
  • Roasted cashew as seen in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0092.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0081.jpg
  • a worker in shows the shelled raw cashews in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0062.jpg
  • Shelled cashews are seen in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0060.jpg
  • The manager shows the raw cashews that are brought for shelling in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0008.jpg
  • 49 years old Joyce took a loan of Rs. 52,000 (1051$) from the bank to build her two room apartment. she pays mortgage of Rs. 500 per month. She lives in her new apartment with her husband and two daughters. She shells raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0937.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0281.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factories in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0098.jpg
  • Local residents fill up water buckets at the water pump in early hours of the day in Korukkupet slum in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.  Photo by Sanjit Das/Panos
    sdas08022011-waterscarcity-lemonde-c...JPG
  • 28 year old Basanta is a mother of 2 boys. Her husband suffers from liver diseases and is unable to go to work. She is a sole earner in the family. She dreams of making 10,000 rupees (200$) a month but makes a mere 2000 rupees (40$) a month instead. She is a fast worker and peels about 8-10 kg of cashews a day. She has been working in the cashew industry for the past 15 years, she started working as a child labour when she was 13. nothing much has changed for her since then. Here she is seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela1006.jpg
  • Women are seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela1004.jpg
  • 28 year old Basanta (left) is a mother of 2 boys. Her husband suffers from liver diseases and is unable to go to work. She is a sole earner in the family. She dreams of making 10,000 rupees (200$) a month but makes a mere 2000 rupees (40$) a month instead. She is a fast worker and peels about 8-10 kg of cashews a day. She has been working in the cashew industry for the past 15 years, she started working as a child labour when she was 13. nothing much has changed for her since then. Here she is seen shelling raw cashews in cashew processing factory in Prassala, Kanyakumari district in Tamil Nadu, India.. .An estimated number of 500,000 women process cashews for a living in Tamil Nadu and Kerela. 2 million people are employed by cashew industry across India making it the world's biggest exporter of shelled cashews. .The working conditions in these processing units are way below industry standards and violates the basic rights. Wages are as low as Rs. 50 (US $1) per day. The problems for these women is not restricted to low wages. Many women are being injured by their jobs as the factory owners cut corners with health and safety. Oil released during the cashew shelling process is highly caustic, leading to common cases of dermatitis, blistering and discolouration of workers' skin. Women working in these units suffer from pains in their leg muscles, backs and knee joints after squatting positions on mud or concrete floors. It is very rare to find tables and chairs provided on shelling duty..Cashew workers' main concern is to increase their earnings and provide better working conditions. .Photo: Sanjit Das
    sdas1208_cashew_kerela0547.jpg
  • A young boy urinates while his mother fills up water buckets at the water pump in early hours of the day in Vyasarpadi slum in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.  Photo by Sanjit Das/Panos
    sdas08022011-waterscarcity-lemonde-c...JPG
  • Local residents fill up water buckets at the water pump in early hours of the day in Vyasarpadi slum in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.  Photo by Sanjit Das/Panos
    sdas08022011-waterscarcity-lemonde-c...JPG
  • Local residents fill up water buckets at the water pump in early hours of the day in Vyasarpadi slum in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.  Photo by Sanjit Das/Panos
    sdas08022011-waterscarcity-lemonde-c...JPG
  • Local residents fill up water buckets at the water pump in early hours of the day in Vyasarpadi slum in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.  Photo by Sanjit Das/Panos
    sdas08022011-waterscarcity-lemonde-c...JPG
  • Mathumita during the field visits in Punaineeravi village in Kilinochchi in Northern Sri Lanka. Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
    201307-kilinochchi-srilanka-bw-044.JPG
  • Mathumita prepares to go out on field visits in Punaineeravi village in Kilinochchi in Northern Sri Lanka. Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
    201307-kilinochchi-srilanka-bw-039.JPG
  • Mathumita reads bed-time stories to her son at her mother's house in Punaineeravi village in Kilinochchi in Northern Sri Lanka. Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
    201307-kilinochchi-srilanka-bw-038.JPG
  • Mathumita puts on the make up after bathing her son at her mother's house in Punaineeravi village in Kilinochchi in Northern Sri Lanka. Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
    201307-kilinochchi-srilanka-bw-030.JPG
  • Abandoned houses at sea side village where the final battle between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan army took place in Vellamullivaikal in Kilinochchi in Northern Sri Lanka. Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
    201307-kilinochchi-srilanka-bw-021.JPG
  • The remains of the water tank blown up by the LTTE  seen in North Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka. Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
    201307-kilinochchi-srilanka-bw-011.JPG
  • A Sri Lankan woman (name withheld on request) poses for a photo with the CHDR- Child Health Development Record Card (immunization/vaccination card) in the Ministry of Health office in Tharmapuram Village in Kilonochchi, Sri Lanka.  Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
    201307-kilinochchi-srilanka-bw-070.JPG
  • A Sri Lankan woman (name withheld on request) poses for a photo with her child and the CHDR- Child Health Development Record Card (immunization/vaccination card) in the Ministry of Health office in Tharmapuram Village in Kilonochchi, Sri Lanka.  Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
    201307-kilinochchi-srilanka-bw-067.JPG
  • A Sri Lankan woman (name withheld on request) poses for a photo with the CHDR- Child Health Development Record Card (immunization/vaccination card) in the Ministry of Health office in Tharmapuram Village in Kilonochchi, Sri Lanka.  Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
    201307-kilinochchi-srilanka-bw-068.JPG
  • A Sri Lankan woman (name with held on request) poses for a photo and the CHDR- Child Health Development Record Card (immunization/vaccination card) in the Ministry of Health office in Tharmapuram Village in Kilonochchi, Sri Lanka.  Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
    201307-kilinochchi-srilanka-bw-063.JPG
  • 36 year old Rasenthiram Sasikala poses for  photo with her children and the CHDR- Child Health Development Record Card (immunization/vaccination card) in Punaineeravi Village in Kilonochchi, Sri Lanka.  Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
    201307-kilinochchi-srilanka-bw-057.JPG
  • Mathumita during the field visits in Punaineeravi village in Kilinochchi in Northern Sri Lanka. Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
    201307-kilinochchi-srilanka-bw-055.JPG
  • Mathumita feeds her son after long day of work at her mother's house in Punaineeravi village in Kilinochchi in Northern Sri Lanka. Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
    201307-kilinochchi-srilanka-bw-037.JPG
  • Mathumita collects her son after a day's long work to her mother's house in Punaineeravi village in Kilinochchi in Northern Sri Lanka. Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
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  • Mathumita walks to the beach with her son where the final battle between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan army took place in Vellamullivaikal in Kilinochchi in Northern Sri Lanka. Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
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  • 54 year old Kanagisweri stands outside her house destroyed during the last battle between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan army along the highway in Kilinochchi, in northern Sri Lanka. Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
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  • Bullet ridden walls of the abandoned house seen by the side of the road where the last battle between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan army was fought, along the highway in Kilinochchi, in northern Sri Lanka. Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
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  • Local Tamilians gather next to the priest offering prayers to the Hindu deity in a make-shift temple next to the actual temple destroyed during the war between the LTTE and the Sri Lankan army in Kilinochchi, in northern Sri Lanka.
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  • The remains of the water tank blown up by the LTTE  seen in North Kilinochchi, Sri Lanka. Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
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  • A Sri Lankan woman (name withheld on request) poses for a photo with her child and the CHDR- Child Health Development Record Card (immunization/vaccination card) in the Ministry of Health office in Tharmapuram Village in Kilonochchi, Sri Lanka.  Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
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  • A Sri Lankan woman (name withheld on request) poses for a photo with the CHDR- Child Health Development Record Card (immunization/vaccination card) in the Ministry of Health office in Tharmapuram Village in Kilonochchi, Sri Lanka.  Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
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  • A Sri Lankan woman (name withheld on request) poses for a photo with her child and the CHDR- Child Health Development Record Card (immunization/vaccination card) in the Ministry of Health office in Tharmapuram Village in Kilonochchi, Sri Lanka.  Photo: Sanjit Das/Panos
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