Description of Field Visit Sites (Ratchaburi Province)
- WATER HYACINTH LOCAL HANDICRAFT GROUP
Water hyacinth which was grown in the Nakornprathom Province easily became a cottage industry. In 1989 Kanda Srathongyang’s mother started to produce and market water hyacinth products with her two daughters. Succeeding in the marketing of her products, Kanda had to increase her production soon after. She trained other women and organized them into a group called “Water Hyacinth Local Handicraft Group”, comprised of 30 members who live in the villages and Tambon nearby. They bring the raw materials from the center in Tanbon Sai-ngam, Banglane district to work at home. The group provides the raw materials and design pattern to members. After production, members send their products back to the group.
Payment received by each member is determined by deducting raw material cost for each piece of product, then divided between the member (who receives 70 % of the benefit ) and the group (30 % as management cost). Each member also receives 6 % of the profit from product sales as dividend every year.
Marketing and production capacity
100 % of the products are sold within the country. The main marketing outlet is the Lumpaya Floating Market, 904 Shop which is owned by the Crown Prince and retail stores during OTOP fairs. Each month the group can produce 1,500 – 2,000 pieces of bags and other accessories which is valued at 50,000-100,000 Baht.
Production process
- Collect water hyacinth from public ponds; sun or solar drying for about 7 days.
- Split materials into pieces according to production purpose.
- Dye with chemical color; product is completed by weaving.
- Dehydrate to removing moisture and prevent fungus by putting products in hot wind dryer.
- Coat with Urethane to seal in the color/s and materials for strength and durability.
- Seal and pack in plastic bag to avoid moisture absorption and fungus (water hyacinth products easily absorb moisture when left exposed in the air).a
OSH problems
Water hyacinth weaving is usually done in the open air. Workers seldom encounter problem with the sun light nor complain about eyesight. The production of water hyacinth does not emit dust and waste products come out in big pieces. Thus, respiratory or skin problems are not common complaints among workers. But they usually suffer aching back and leg.
OSH activities
Foundation for Labour and Employment Promotion started OSH activities with the group two years ago (2005):
- Provided training on OSH to group members.
- Supported exercise activities for ageing members.
- Changed working position and habit from sitting on the floor to sitting on the chair or stage.
- Promoted the use of personal prevention equipment for workers such as mask and gloves in the chemical dyeing process.
- Promoted reduction of environment problem derived from chemical dyeing by using accurate amounts of chemical dyestuff. This practice reduces wastage. If the color from dye bath stays, this will be kept and mixed with other colors.
- For final coating, Urethane was preferred over lacquer because the latter has more chemical residue.
- To remove moist, shifted from applying sulfur to employing hot wind dryer.
Challenges
- Group members expect to use natural dyestuff in place of chemical dye but they are still on the trial and error phase.
- Hot wind dryer consume electricity which affect production cost. The preferred mode to prevent moist and fungus is still the natural process.
- RATCHABURI DOLL (STUFFED TOYS) HANDICRAFT GROUP
In the past, villagers in Photaram, Ratchaburi earned their living by making kapok mattresses and pillows that are sold in nearby areas. In 1965, while some of them hawked their products in Bangkok, they saw kapok products in animal shapes. That inspired them to develop their mattresses and pillows into something more interesting. Presently, doll and stuffed toys making has become popular in Photaram.
The Ratchaburi Doll Handicraft Group was formed in 1968 with 113 members involved in the production. Operation system is centered at Usa Dolls Shop with 38 workers doing design, pattern making, cutting, sewing, polymer stuffing, decoration, packaging and marketing. Apart from the production process done at the center, work is also sent to home based workers through four contact persons. Each contact has her own HBW groups: the first and second contacts have 20 HBWs each; the third has fifteen (15) workers and the fourth has ten (10) workers. Homebased workers do sewing and polymer stuffing in the homes. They are paid by piece rate, with an average income ranging from 100-150 Baht a day.
Production Process
Doll (stuffed toy) making involves designing, pattern-making cutting, sewing, polymer stuffing, and decoration. Inhalation of dusts from cotton, wool and other fabrics as well as from polyester fiber is a common occurrence, that exposure for long duration of time may lead to lung and respiratory problems. Other problems include insufficient lighting, improper working posture, long working hours with no rest, dangers from knife cuts, and body aches.
Marketing
There are 4 marketing channels for Usa Dolls shop
- 50 % wholesale and retail at the shop
- 30 % wholesale to other provinces and Sumpeng area in Bangkok
- 20% retail at the shop and 17 shops of Ratchaburi Doll Handicraft Network
- 10 % sell at high end market for instance department store and export to Dubai and India.
Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) activities
Foundation for Labour and Employment Development started its activities with the group in 2005. Initially, knowledge on OSH was given to workers in the shops and contact centers. Some changes in the working environment and workers’ health have taken place:
- Rearranged raw materials, tools and equipment for easy and convenient use by using 5 Cs.
- Changed working habit from sitting on the floor to sitting on the chair towards reduction of body aches.
- Creation of dust filter to protect its spread which will reduce respiratory and lung systems.
- Campaigned on use of mask during work.
- Annual physical check up for workers.
Results
The entrepreneur and half of the workers in the group have gained knowledge and awareness on OSH and how to cope with the problems. Working environment has improved and number of worker using personal preventive equipment has also increased.
However, the OSH campaign and implementation have not reached all the workers. Only workers at Usa Dolls Shop and four contact centers or about 50 % of all workers have benefited from the project and therefore does not all HBWs. In the future, the group expects to cover all the members so that they will have adequate skills and knowledge on OHS.
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