HEALTH HAZARDS AND SOCIAL VULNERABILITY OF SUGARCANE CUTTER WOMEN MIGRANTS OF MAHARASHTRA STATE

According to the Maharashtra Economic Survey Report 2018-19, about 36% of the country's sugar factories are in Maharashtra. Every year thousands of women from the asset poor regions migrate to the sugar belt of Maharashtra and Karnataka to cut cane with their husband in the form of Koyata owing to the practice of hiring couples. Migrant cane cutters especially women are most vulnerable and continue to suffer from a number of health and security risks. The vulnerable working conditions and demand of hard labour work affects the health of women. The study will throw a spotlight to reveal a range of health hazards and social vulnerability in migrants' life. It will aid for a better inclusion of sugarcane cutter women migrants in India. It will help society to rethink about this underprivileged group and insist government and policymakers to recognize this population as a priority group for ensuring rights and entitlements. It will present coping strategies to reduce occupational health hazards and social vulnerability of women migrants.