Jono Maryono
Morbi, India – The reverberations of escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have cast a long shadow over Morbi, Gujarat, India’s vibrant ceramics manufacturing center, leading to the abrupt shutdown of hundreds of factories and plunging thousands of migrant workers into economic uncertainty and exacerbating pre-existing health crises. What began as a routine workday for Pradeep Kumar, a worker at a local ceramics facility for seven years, transformed into a stark reminder of the interconnectedness of global events when he lost his job on March 15. His plight, shared by countless others, highlights the fragility of livelihoods dependent on international supply chains and the devastating human cost of distant conflicts.
Kumar’s daily routine, marked by the heat and dust of the furnaces as he handled raw materials like clay, quartz, and sand, was suddenly disrupted. The factory, like over 450 of the approximately 600 ceramics companies in Morbi, was forced to cease operations due to a critical shortage of propane and natural gas. These essential fuels, vital for the high-temperature kilns that produce India’s ceramic goods, have become scarce and prohibitively expensive following a new wave of conflict in the Middle East. The United States and Israel’s actions against Iran, sparking renewed hostilities, have directly impacted the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial artery for global energy shipments, including India’s vital gas imports.
This sudden economic paralysis has had an immediate and profound impact on the workforce. More than 400,000 individuals are employed in Morbi’s ceramics industry, with over half of them being migrant workers from poorer Indian states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Pradeep Kumar, a father of three, was forced to return to his ancestral village in Uttar Pradesh’s Hardoi district, echoing the mass exodus of migrant workers witnessed during the COVID-19 pandemic. The memory of that arduous journey, undertaken by millions on foot with limited resources, fuels his apprehension about prolonged unemployment and the potential for a similar humanitarian crisis. "We don’t want to suffer like dogs, like we did during the COVID-19 pandemic," Kumar stated, expressing a deep-seated fear of recurring hardship.
The Ripple Effect: From Global Conflict to Local Shutdowns
The crisis in Morbi is a direct consequence of a complex geopolitical standoff. The conflict, which intensified in early March, saw the seizure of an Iranian cargo vessel by the United States on a Sunday, even as diplomatic overtures for talks in Pakistan were being made. Tehran’s refusal to engage in peace talks following the vessel’s capture underscored the escalating tensions. The situation was further inflamed by Iran’s decision to restrict traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint that handles a significant portion of the world’s oil and gas shipments. This disruption has not only choked global fuel supplies but has also sent oil prices soaring, creating a cascading effect on industries reliant on these resources.
Morbi’s ceramics industry, a powerhouse contributing approximately 80 percent of India’s annual ceramic production – encompassing tiles, toilets, bathtubs, and washbasins – is particularly vulnerable. The industry’s annual value stands at a substantial $6 billion, with roughly 25 percent of its output, worth an estimated $1.5 billion, exported to markets across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. The current production slowdown has led to significant delays and outright halts in exports, especially to Middle Eastern countries, further compounding the economic fallout.
Fueling the Crisis: Propane and Natural Gas Dependencies
Siddharth Bopaliya, a 27-year-old third-generation manufacturer and trader in Morbi, explained the industry’s critical reliance on propane and natural gas. "All manufacturing units in Morbi rely on propane and natural gas to fire kilns at high temperatures," Bopaliya told Al Jazeera. "While propane is supplied by private companies, natural gas is provided by the state to those with connections. Around 60 percent of manufacturers use propane because it is comparatively cheaper." However, the current geopolitical climate has severely impacted propane supplies, forcing many factories to seek alternatives or shut down entirely.
The Morbi Ceramic Manufacturers Association initially hoped for a swift resolution, with units scheduled to reopen on April 15. However, Manoj Arvadiya, the association’s president, reported that as of his statement, only about 100 units had resumed operations, with the majority still awaiting the resumption of manufacturing processes. He anticipates this situation will persist for at least another fortnight. The prolonged closure has directly affected an estimated 200,000 workers, with over a quarter already compelled to return to their home states.
For factories still reliant on propane, the path to reopening remains uncertain. While natural gas is generally available, the transition is not always straightforward. The cost differential between new connections, priced at 93 rupees per kilogram, and existing supplies for established users, at approximately 70 rupees, presents a significant financial hurdle for many smaller manufacturers. Khushiram Sapariya, a washbasin manufacturer who depends on propane, expressed his hesitation to reopen his factory without greater certainty. "Because then I have to call hundreds of staff who have gone to their homes, and I want to be sure before taking their responsibility," he stated, highlighting the complex logistical and financial decisions involved in restarting production.
The Shadow of Silicosis: An Endemic Occupational Hazard
Beyond the immediate economic fallout, the crisis has brought to the forefront a long-standing health concern plaguing Morbi’s workforce: silicosis. Ankur Singh, a 27-year-old migrant worker who returned to his hometown near Patna, Bihar, revealed he left Morbi not just jobless but also carrying what he termed the "Morbi disease." After a medical check-up, he was diagnosed with silicosis, an incurable lung disease caused by the inhalation of fine silica dust. This dust is a ubiquitous byproduct of ceramic production, generated from materials like rock, sand, and quartz.
Silicosis is one of the oldest occupational diseases, claiming thousands of lives annually worldwide. In Morbi, the disease is alarmingly prevalent due to the constant exposure of workers to silica dust. Chirag Chavda, a Gujarat-based labor rights activist, noted that "even those not directly involved in molding or kiln work often inhale the particles due to poor ventilation and prolonged exposure across factory spaces." He further criticized many ceramic companies for their consistent failure to adhere to government safety regulations, leaving workers vulnerable to this debilitating condition.
Harish Zala, a 40-year-old who worked in Morbi’s ceramic sector for two decades, contracted silicosis two years ago. His experience is a grim testament to the lack of support for affected workers. He claims his former employer offered no assistance and, instead, allegedly subjected his father to abuse and threats when he visited the company to inquire about his son’s condition. Zala’s account paints a bleak picture: "Every year, at least one laborer dies of silicosis in each company, while several get detected for silicosis." He considers himself fortunate to have survived but was forced to abandon his livelihood.
The systemic disregard for worker welfare is further evidenced by the common practice of companies withholding essential employment documentation, such as appointment letters, salary slips, and identity cards. This deliberate omission effectively deprives workers of the means to assert their labor rights or claim legal entitlements, leaving employers with minimal accountability. Consequently, many workers are denied social security benefits, including pension funds, as this would necessitate formal proof of employment. This lack of documentation creates a cycle of exploitation, where years of dedicated labor go unrewarded and workers remain vulnerable to precarious working conditions and inadequate compensation.
Enduring Hardship and Uncertain Futures
Amidst this widespread disruption, some families have found themselves in a precarious state of limbo. Sushma Devi, a 56-year-old migrant worker from West Bengal, remains in Morbi with her family. Her son works at a tile company that has promised to provide shelter and food while awaiting the resumption of manufacturing. "I am here with a few more people because we did not want to spend money on travelling. Here, at least our ration is sorted," she explained, while gathering firewood for daily cooking. Her husband, Debendar, and son, Ankit, share a cramped one-room dwelling with nine other families, utilizing a common toilet facility. Devi’s hope for a swift return to normalcy is palpable, but so is her underlying anxiety about continued sustenance.
For workers like Pradeep Kumar, the financial strain is mounting. His meager savings are dwindling, and the prospect of falling into a debt trap looms large as he seeks daily wage work in his hometown. "Initially, we ate from whatever we had saved. But the house needed repair and we had to borrow 20,000 rupees ($214) from a relative, which we have no idea when or how we will repay," he confessed, gazing at the repaired roof of his modest home. His story, and those of thousands like him, underscores the profound human impact of geopolitical events far removed from their daily lives, highlighting the urgent need for robust social safety nets and sustainable economic policies that can shield vulnerable populations from the vagaries of global instability. The ceramic industry in Morbi, once a symbol of India’s manufacturing prowess, now stands as a stark illustration of how distant conflicts can shatter livelihoods and expose systemic vulnerabilities.
