“Mere liye mera kaam bahut mayne rakhta hai, kaam ke vajah se meri jindagi acchi se chal raha hai” – Khatijaben, a hand embroidery worker and home-based artisan from Abodana Artisans Cooperative for the last 12 years, reflects on how work sustains her life. This close relationship with work underscores the dependency on steady employment for a stable living.
For artisans, the workplace is more than just a site of productivity; it is their second home. They spend a significant portion of their day weaving handloom products and preserving handicraft traditions. Therefore, their well-being within this space is paramount. However, the informal nature of the trade often results in women artisans working in unfavourable conditions. Extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, exacerbate these challenging conditions, affecting both their livelihoods and health.
Climate change has gradually altered how informal women artisans interact with their workplaces. These climate events are bound to increase workplace inconveniences and further damage the livelihood and health of women artisans. As our cooperatives strive for business viability, they are equally committed to providing dignified employment for their member workers. In this endeavor, we collaborated with Urban Design Square to develop a pilot study, mapping the workplace of Abodana cooperative. This study assessed how artisans interact with their workplaces during extreme weather conditions.
Artisans’ Adaptations and Challenges
During our interactions, we found that artisans have made minor adjustments to their workplaces to complete their tasks. However, these changes are neither sustainable nor effective long-term, often resulting in adverse health effects:
- Change in timings of work: Khatijaben works late at night during summers when the weather is cooler and more comfortable for sewing. She shared that in recent years, the heat has intensified, and there are instances of untimely heavy rainfall. During monsoons, she keeps raw materials and fabric (both finished and unfinished) on the bed and sleeps on the floor due to limited living space.
- Light Availability: “I need to keep this window open for light, but it increases the indoor heat considerably. In the afternoon, I close half of the window to reduce the heat and manage with the limited light available,” shared another handicraft worker.
- Ventilation Issues: “We have to turn off the fan when cutting large fabrics because the airflow causes measurement inaccuracies and uneven cuts. During harsh summers, it is very difficult to manage without proper ventilation,” added an artisan.
- Energy Consumption: Our interaction with Mariyamben, 70, a master craftsman and trainer at the Cooperative, highlighted another critical factor. The changes in workplaces due to climate also result in higher energy consumption. Increasing fan speed, buying a cooler, using lights late into the night to combat afternoon heat, and using electric sewing machines for faster work all add substantial electricity costs to their work. It pushes them to work longer hours in inadequately prepared workplaces, impacting their health in the long run.
The study provided valuable insights into the impacts of extreme climate on income, health, and business viability. For an artisan earning INR 350-500 per day – it’s a huge blow.
What has remained constant for these artisans is the solidarity offered by the cooperative model. This model instills resilience and provides a dependable support system. As Rehatben shares, the cooperative has become like a family, helping them navigate both tough and joyful times together.
“When I meet with my fellow artisans, the atmosphere changes! We all become so happy!” Mariyamben shares her excitement about the camaraderie among members and the joy of creating a positive workplace. Such supportive environments foster collective resilience and help artisans adapt to changes while also amplifying their voices in advocating for their needs.
Moving Forward
Conducted during the peak heat season, this study sets the stage for further research across other seasons to gain a comprehensive understanding of the evolving climate impacts. This pilot study creates a template for similar studies to delve deeper into the topic.
Every dress, saree, shirt, or even napkin we buy has a long story to tell. The artisans behind these handloom products often come from vulnerable communities that, with the right support, can achieve self-reliance and full employment. On this Handloom Day, support informal women artisans by purchasing their beautifully crafted products through SEWA Saamarth. Buy now and make a difference!
