By D. W. G. Kalani Tharanga, JadeTimes News
The Many Lives of Syeda X, A Story of Resilience and Hardship
Syeda X, a poor migrant woman living in the shanty towns surrounding Delhi, has endured a lifetime of grueling work across more than 50 different jobs over 30 years. From trimming jeans threads and cooking savory snacks to shelling almonds and making various handcrafted items, Syeda's efforts have yielded only meager wages. For instance, she earned just 25 rupees (30 cents) for assembling 1,000 toy guns. The story of Syeda X, captured in Neha Dixit's book "The Many Lives of Syeda X," reflects the precarious existence of countless female home based workers in India.
Relocating to Delhi in the mid 1990s after religious riots in Uttar Pradesh, Syeda's life represents the struggles of millions of women in India's informal economy. Officially recognized as a distinct category of workers only in 2007, home based workers in India produce goods or services for employers from their own homes, often without proper tools, training, or fair compensation. Despite their crucial role, these women remain largely invisible and unsupported by legislation or policy. Journalist Neha Dixit's book, based on a decade of research and over 900 interviews, sheds light on the systemic exploitation and resilience of these women, who often bear the brunt of poverty, precariousness, and familial responsibilities.
The Precarity and Exploitation of Female Home Based Workers
Home based work is the second largest employment sector for women in India after agriculture. According to Wiego, an organization supporting women in informal employment, by 2017-18, approximately 17 million women were engaged in home based work, comprising about 9% of total employment. Historian Indrani Mazumdar notes a shift in the concentration of home based workers from rural to urban areas, indicating changing economic dynamics. Despite their significant numbers, these women are often without social security or protection, struggling to provide for their families and facing additional challenges from climate change and volatile work conditions.
Economist Sona Mitra points out that around 75% of female workers in manufacturing are home based, yet they are often recorded as self employed and remain largely invisible in official statistics. The precarious nature of their work has been exacerbated by shifts in the industry, such as the readymade garment sector's move to in house production and mechanization, reducing opportunities for home based work. The lack of support and recognition has led to dire situations, as illustrated by strikes and protests, such as the Delhi women who shelled almonds demanding better pay and working conditions.
Efforts to support these workers, like the Self Employed Women’s Association (Sewa) and various self help groups, have had limited success in addressing employment challenges. Syeda X and her peers continue to face displacement and hardship, constantly battling for survival in an unforgiving system. As Neha Dixit's narrative reveals, their lives are marked by relentless toil and the ever present threat of losing their livelihood to another struggling migrant worker. The plight of India's home based workers underscores the urgent need for comprehensive policies and support systems to ensure their rights and dignity.
