adrian fisk
The Human Hair Trade
Much of the hair trade, like many Indian industries, is carried on in very poor conditions. Hair from barbers shops is swept up, sent to the hair processing factories and chopped into tiny pieces. It is then sent to chemical companies who extract the amino acids to use them in food and medicine. The workers who operate the chopping machine work without masks or gloves or any other form of protection. Some of the work places are relatively light and airy, others gloomy and ill ventilated. One firms sorting takes place in a basement room and the workers are locked in. While long hair from temples is often clean and sleek, village hair and barbers hair is dirty and small, the small pieces blow about, getting under the workers clothes and into their mouths. Workers are paid approximately 25 rupees (30p) for an eight and a half hour day.
The Human Hair Trade
Much of the hair trade, like many Indian industries, is carried on in very poor conditions. Hair from barbers shops is swept up, sent to the hair processing factories and chopped into tiny pieces. It is then sent to chemical companies who extract the amino acids to use them in food and medicine. The workers who operate the chopping machine work without masks or gloves or any other form of protection. Some of the work places are relatively light and airy, others gloomy and ill ventilated. One firms sorting takes place in a basement room and the workers are locked in. While long hair from temples is often clean and sleek, village hair and barbers hair is dirty and small, the small pieces blow about, getting under the workers clothes and into their mouths. Workers are paid approximately 25 rupees (30p) for an eight and a half hour day.