In the backdrop of a turbulent geopolitical landscape, the fallout of an escalating conflict in the Middle East is now jeopardizing the livelihoods of thousands of workers in Morbi, India. The region, well-known as the hub of India’s ceramics industry, is experiencing significant economic downturns that put immense pressure on migrant laborers, who are already vulnerable as they navigate between low wages and minimal worker protections. This situation underscores not only the fragility of industrial dependencies but also the resilience of those striving to cope with the adverse effects of such crises.
Morbi, India – For seven years, Pradeep Kumar entered the ceramics factory in western India at 9 a.m. every day, loading raw materials such as clay, quartz, and sand into the kiln and spending hours amidst the heat and dust emitted from the furnaces. Kumar operated at various stages of the manufacturing process, routinely feeding clay into machines and moving semi-processed pieces toward firing, all without essential protective gear, such as gloves or masks, amidst extreme heat conditions.
“Summer could be particularly challenging,” he recounted. “The heat intensity was at its peak.” However, on March 15, he lost his job—not due to any fault of his own or the factory’s operation, but as a consequence of escalated military actions in the Middle East led by the United States and Israel against Iran, which sparked a global fuel crisis. Merely two weeks after the onset of hostilities, the ceramics company shuttered its operations, citing a shortage of essential fuels like propane and natural gas.
Morbi, the center of India’s ceramics industry, employs over 400,000 individuals, with many being migrants from economically less developed regions like Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Following his job loss, Kumar returned to his hometown in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi district with his wife and three children. “I won’t leave until every other migrant worker who returned with us goes back,” he affirmed, recalling the traumatic exodus during the COVID-19 pandemic, when millions faced starvation and danger as they sought to return home.
Approximately 450 of the 600 ceramic companies in Morbi have closed as a standoff at the Strait of Hormuz—critical for India’s gas imports—continues. The ongoing war remains unresolved while tensions have escalated with the U.S capturing an Iranian cargo vessel, and Iran has since limited traffic through Hormuz, further disrupting global fuel supplies and raising oil prices.
“All manufacturing units in Morbi require propane and natural gas to fire kilns at optimal temperatures,” explained Siddharth Bopaliya, a third-generation manufacturer. “Around 60 percent of manufacturers prefer propane because it is cheaper.” Despite the war’s impact, only around 100 out of the 600 units have resumed operations. The Morbi Ceramic Manufacturers Association has announced that the shutdown will extend until April 15, with economic impacts reaching approximately 200,000 workers, some of whom have returned to their home states.
According to industry estimates, India’s ceramic sector is valued at billion, with about 25 percent of Morbi’s ceramics exported to Middle Eastern, African, and European countries, generating roughly .5 billion annually. However, delays and halts in exports exacerbated by production slowdowns pose greater challenges.
Despite some availability of natural gas, many manufacturers remain reluctant to transition due to high connection fees. Khushiram Sapariya, a manufacturer reliant on propane, expressed caution before reopening his facility, emphasizing the need to ensure staff were available and safe.
Among those affected is Ankur Singh, 27, who now suffers from silicosis, a chronic lung disease resulting from prolonged exposure to silica dust in the factory environment. Labor rights advocate Chirag Chavda noted that silicosis has become alarmingly widespread in Morbi as workers frequently inhale silica dust, with insufficient protections and ventilation against its harmful effects. Unfortunately, many workers lack documentation of employment, limiting their access to legal protections and social security under Indian labor laws.
While some, like Sushma Devi, have opted to remain in Morbi due to company provisions for shelter and food during this uncertain period, others, like Kumar, are rapidly depleting their savings. As Kumar contemplates his financial future, he expresses concern over falling into a debt cycle while trying to secure daily wage work. “We initially survived on our savings. But following necessary repairs to our home, I ended up borrowing money from family, not knowing how I will repay it,” he lamented.
The ongoing situation in Morbi highlights the vulnerability of workers navigating economic turmoil exacerbated by global conflicts, revealing the necessity for systemic reforms and support for the labor force engaged in critical industries.
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