Migration and Labour Dynamics in Kerala's Plywood Industry: Socioeconomic Transitions from 1918 to 2020

Hitesh, Suchitra A, Navas M. Khadar

Abstract: This paper investigates the evolution of the Indian plywood industry, its sustainability, and growth prospects. The focus is on the plywood sector in Kerala, and the research examines how timber shortages, technological advancements, and regulatory frameworks affect the competitiveness of the sector. This paper adopts a mixed-method approach that analyses market trends, production processes, and stakeholder views towards recognising key challenges and opportunities. This study also examines the exploitation of labor and working conditions of migrant workers in Kerala's plywood industry. This research reveals the intersectional dynamics of capitalism, precarity, and dispossession through a historical analysis of the industry's evolution and ethnographic research on labour patterns, wage criteria, and living conditions. It highlights the displacement of skilled local labour, the emergence of migrant labour, and its concomitant social implications. This study contributes to the existing literature on labour exploitation, migrant workers, and the environmental impact of the plywood industry by emphasising the need for policy interventions and collective action to address the human cost of capitalist expansion.

Keywords: Indian plywood industry, regulatory frameworks, labour exploitation, migrant workers, environmental impact, India- Kerala

How to Cite?: Hitesh, Suchitra A, Navas M. Khadar, "Migration and Labour Dynamics in Kerala's Plywood Industry: Socioeconomic Transitions from 1918 to 2020", Volume 14 Issue 4, April 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 550-560, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR25406161636, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR25406161636