Democracy at Work in an Indian Industrial Cooperative
Isaac, T.m.thomas; Franke, Richard W.; Raghavan, Pyaralal
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 ... Read more
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.
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About Isaac, T.m.thomas; Franke, Richard W.; Raghavan, Pyaralal
Reviews for Democracy at Work in an Indian Industrial Cooperative
Journal of Comparative Economics
The book is very well written and offers a scholarly treatise on the rise, growth and development of a workers' co-operative. The quality of the book is enhanced by examining the accomplishments of the KDB against a ... Read more