Provision of livelihoods to women : A pilot at Ramanagaram

Abstract

The Indian Institute of Management Bangalore has been conducting a year-long study with 100poor families in Ramanagaram. Entitled ‘The Financial Diaries of the Poor’ the study tracked thedaily cash inflows and outflows of these families between August 2008 and September 2009.The study reveals a majority of the families to be highly indebted to several creditors, includingmultiple MFIs and with little means of livelihoods. Of the 213 employed individuals in the 95households, only 60 reported being employed throughout the year. Very few among these 60are permanent employees working as sweepers with the municipal corporation. All the otherswork as temporary or contract workers with private or government agencies and hence have nosecurity, benefits.Everybody else reported earning only between 6-11 months in a year depending on availabilityof work. Many also reported at working at more than one job to make ends meet.Many government and non-government agencies who undertake training programmes toupgrade skills of the poor (such as tailoring, manufacture of food products and other productssuch as candles, soaps, agarbatties, etc., driving, motor-winding, etc.) there is little data on howmany of these trained persons have gained a sustained livelihood – either through regular wageemployment or own enterprise. Very often training agencies also undertake to place trainedpersons with the industry – the garment industry being a prime example. However manywomen reported unsatisfactory and exploitative working conditions in the factories as adisincentive for joining such factories.It is in this context that the current pilot project is being attempted by Indian Institute ofManagement Bangalore in collaboration with Srishti School of Art, Design and Technology.