Politicisation of Beedi Workers in Kerala- A Case Study of Dinesh Beedi Co-operative in North Malabar

Abstract

It is a peculiar scene in Kerala state rural area that most of the adult male members of the families in an area meet in a nearly teashops and read and listen and discuss current politics over a cup of morning tea. This daily exercise couple with the participation in a day today struggles by unions and political parties make the beedi workers are of the most important working forces in Kerala. One of the important features of the beedi workers movement in Kannur is the effective use of various communication media, enabling the workers and other sections of the rural people to be aware of overall political situation, not only in the state but also in India and the world. Newspapers, magazines, radio programmes etc are available in simple Malayalam and in plenty. Every public meeting or rally including street comers meetings organised by political parties, especially left parties became effective means of communication of political ideas. This is in addition to containing political education organised by political parties in the form of party classes or trade union classes which are basically intensive forms of non-formal education. The emergence of trade union movement in beedi industry was a response to the deplorable labour condition in the industry as well as the larger political and social currents in North Malabar.  It played vital role in all the agitations led by beedi workers before and after the independence.  The beedi workers through strong agitations acquired the achievements. In beedi establishments like KDB, even the non-wage benefits are fixed through local negotiations with management represented in central society.  The trade unions directly participate in implementing the social security scheme.