Democracy at Work in an Indian Industrial Cooperative: The Story of Kerala Dinesh Beedi

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Richard W. Franke Pyralal Raghavan

Democracy at Work in an Indian Industrial Cooperative

The Story of Kerala Dinesh Beedi

Richard W. Franke, Pyralal Raghavan, T. M. Thomas Isaac , Pyaralal Raghavan

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English

ILR Press
15 June 1998

Development studies; Sociology: work & labour; Development economics; Employee-ownership & co-operatives

Series: Cornell International Industrial and Labor Relations Reports

The authors tell the story of a democratic workers' cooperative that makes hand-rolled cigarettes, known as ""beedis,"" in the unorganized sector of a fiercely competitive capitalist economy in India. For decades, beedi workers have been among the most exploited and impoverished of India's work force. In 1969, in the southwestern Indian state of Kerala, several thousand workers banded together to form a worker-owned beedi cooperative. The authors argue that their skill and determination, combined with Kerala's generally leftist political culture, allowed them to beat the odds. The cooperative surprised the private sector beedi barons by creating an enterprise that has lasted and prospered, offering the best wages and benefits in the business, while making a profit and contributing to the local economy.

The authors analyze the major features of the cooperative, assessing its overall structure, worker-elected management, shop floor democracy, and progress in providing a better life for its worker-owners. Tensions are also discussed, including the complaints of women workers and the need for diversification from tobacco.

By: Richard W. Franke, Pyralal Raghavan, T. M. Thomas Isaac, Pyaralal Raghavan
Imprint: ILR Press
Country of Publication: United States [Currently unable to ship to USA: see Shipping Info]
Edition: 1
Volume: No 34
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 19mm
Weight: 454g
ISBN: 9780801484155
ISBN 10: 0801484154
Series: Cornell International Industrial and Labor Relations Reports
Pages: 272
Publication Date: 15 June 1998
Audience: College/higher education , Professional and scholarly , Professional & Vocational , A / AS level , Further / Higher Education
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

T. M. Thomas Isaac is Associate Fellow at the Centre for Development Studies and is affiliated with the AKG Centre for Research and Studies in Kerala. He is coauthor of Modernization and Employment: The Coir Industry in Kerala, and seven books in Malayalam. Richard W. Franke is Professor of Anthropology at Montclair State University. He is the author or coauthor of three books. Pyaralal Raghavan received his Ph.D. in Economics from the Centre for Development Studies in Kerala.

Reviews for Democracy at Work in an Indian Industrial Cooperative: The Story of Kerala Dinesh Beedi

'An impressive piece of anthropology, comparative politics, economic history, and labor relations. . . An inspiring story, movingly recounted. -Journal of Comparative Economics