Sivakasi: Matches, Fireworks and Print
Employment, Wages and Women in the Workforce
The industry gives direct jobs to tens of thousands and supports many more, with women making up a large share of workers.
Sivakasi’s factories are a major local employer.
Direct and indirect jobs
Workers in factories, packers, transport, printing and suppliers rely on the cluster.
Piece-rate pay
Many workers are paid by the amount they produce, which rewards speed but can push risk-taking.
Women
Women form a substantial share of workers, particularly in match and packing units.
Seasonality
Fireworks demand peaks before Diwali, causing heavy overtime followed by slack months.
Diwali rush
In the months before Diwali, extra shifts run and temporary workers are hired.
Treating jobs as stable all year
Seasonal peaks and troughs shape earnings.
Key takeaways
- The cluster employs many people.
- Piece rates link pay to output.
- Women are a large share.
- Seasonality creates income swings.
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