Job demand and human-machine characteristics on musculoskeletal pain among female weavers in India

Nearly 3.5 million handlooms industries including 1.68 million in northeast India have provided huge employment (4.33 million) to the workers. The frame looms and loin looms account for 78% and 21% industries, respectively in northeast India. Most of the workers in the handlooms are female (77%) while the male workers (23%) are comparatively smaller. Weaving is integral part of the rural economy of north east India and thus small industries are located in this region. Assam, the most populated state in north east India, alone accounts for 1.24 million (44.6%) handloom households, whereas two other states namely Manipur and Tripura have 0.18 million (6.4%) and 0.12 million (4.3%) such households, respectively. Arunachal Pradesh has 30134 weavers working in 23335 weaving units, while 53473 persons are engaged in weaving and 39692 allied activities (Ministry of Textile, 2011).

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