A review about the socio economic condition of the Saltpan workers: lessons for the Kalpitiya Saltpan region in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Sri Lanka is an island which is naturally surrounded by the sea and natural resources. Even though it has the capacity to produce many goods and services by using the natural resources, it imports some particular goods and services. Saltpan industry is one of the important primary production in Sri Lanka which has comparative advantage, even salt is imported from some other countries too. The saltpan workers are in the low level of the socio economic status and faced many challenges in their day to day life, especially in the Kalpitiya saltpan region in Sri Lanka. Therefore this study aims to analyse the socio economic condition of the saltpan workers and their challenges and provide solutions for their problems. This study is analyzed in the review basis through the relevant literature which were done previously in different areas using different methods. So, the findings concluded that lower income, unemployment and seasonal unemployment, loan burdens, increasing production cost, lower income for women, climate, health related issues and low level of education are the main problems. In order to solve the problems and enhances the saltpan worker’s socio economic status, they have highly recommended the wage adjustment and the public sector intervention.