Work hazards: Women fisherfolk face health risks in Kerala

KOCHI: As the Kerala state action plan for climate change proposes to use state and central funds to address the various vulnerabilities among the fishing community, concerns have been also raised about inadequate healthcare facilities for the women community members.
Researchers have pointed out there has been a growing incidence of occupational health issues among women fisherfolk who represent a dominant proportion in seafood processing.
According to a study by researchers at Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), though they maintain high work efficiency, most women workers face occupational health problems resulting from physical exposure at the workplace as well as the social work environment.
The paper presented at a global conference on “Gender in fisheries” pointed out that many of them suffered from musculoskeletal disorders and allergic reactions, including respiratory and dermatological problems.
“While more care is given to women working in the seafood export sector because of the international regulations in various countries, the same cannot be said of the domestic industry.,” said Nikita Gopal, principal scientist- CIFT and chair-Gender in aquaculture and fisheries-Asian Fisheries Society.
The study found that musculoskeletal disorders are mostly caused due to awkward postures or repetitive movements for long periods.
Regular use of chlorine and chemical agents and working without using proper equipment often caused skin diseases in many. The cold environment in the units has also caused severe respiratory problems, according to the study.
Regulatory agencies have to involve themselves to ensure better work conditions in the small-scale and unorganized sectors, many of which can be found in the coastal areas, Gopal said.