Marble industry: its socioeconomic, environmental and health effects among marble worker/producer households in Romblon [Philippines]

1993

Foja, A.F.

Data gathered showed that more than one-half of the respondents had a low level of living and had an unfavorable attitude toward the marble industry, while about two-thirds had low aspirations. The industry was found to have brought about siltation of seabeds/riverbeds and denudation of mountains and hills in the area. On the household health aspect, the industry has caused occupational lung diseases and various kinds of injuries from work related accidents. From the statistical analysis using the Chi-square (x square) test, the following variables appeared to have significant relationships with the level of living of marble workers/producers: 1.) income derived from job; 2.) educational attainment, and; 3.) job satisfaction. Length of work experience and nature of job, were revealed to have significant relationships with attitude toward the marble industry. Based on correlation analysis, the variables which were significantly related with level of living were: monthly income derived from job; educational attainment; memberships in organizations; availment of sources of information; job satisfaction; assessment of work environment; and aspirations. Credit sources were availed of by about one-half of the respondents. Credit obtained was commonly used for basic necessities. The majority believed that marble items were commonly marketed by retail, a system referred because it is the usual marketing method in the area. The respondents generally encountered problems in their work, the most frequently mentioned being dust pollution and low wages. Two-thirds of the marble workers/producers needed government assistance in the form of financing, worker insurance coverage, and tools

1994/PH/PH1994_0.rdf