Abstract:
Sri Lanka is an island which involved in salt production. The main objective of this
research is to find out the socio economic status of saltpan workers in the Kalpitiya
area. This research aims to discover the Determinant factors of the socio economic
status of saltpan workers, problems faced by saltpan workers and provide polices
and recommendations to improve the socio economic conditions of the saltpan
workers in the study area. Primary data for this research were collected through
structured questionnaire and discussions from five villages in Kalpitiya region
based on purposive sampling method. The collected data are analyzed by
descriptive methods using Ms-Excel. The results of this research found that the
social status of the household’s involved in the salt industry is slightly satisfactory,
at the same time the income level and the savings are not satisfactory. Also the salt
producing households are facing problems like seasonal unemployment and low
income. This study suggests that to Provide better health care, educational
opportunities for households involved in salt production, obtaining safe equipment
through government or labour welfare institutions, providing permanent
employment opportunities, interest free or low interest loans to salt workers
through government. Government should take an action to develop the salt
production through new technologies in coastal areas which has the capability of
producing salt.
