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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,
MANAGEMENT & APPLIED SCIENCE (IJLTEMAS)
ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue IV, April 2026
Socioeconomic Analysis of the Green Action Force Harithakarmasena
Dr. Rahiyanath C
1
, Dr. Dinesh M P
2
1
Assistant Professor on contract, Dept of Economics, SN College, Kannur, Kerala
2
Associate Professor and Head, Dept. of Econometrics and Data management, Govt. College, Mokeri,
Kozhikode, Kerala
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.51583/IJLTEMAS.2026.150400054
Received: 14 April 2026; Accepted: 20 April 2026; Published: 07 May 2026
ABSTRACT
Harithakarmasena (HKS) is a comprehensive women empowerment model developed for Solid Waste
Management in rural and urban Kerala. It is managed by Local Self Govts and Kudumbashree. Many women
workers were got employment opportunities under this venture. Eventhough it is a successful opportunity for
women labour participation many challenges are existing. The present study focusing socio- economic status of
HKS workers and their problems in this field. Kannur district of kerala selected as study area. 60 HKS workers
of Kannur corporation were randomly selected for the study. Data collected through mailed questionnaire and
in-depth interview also conducted with workers. Simple statistical tools, percentage, average- mean, median,
pie diagrams were used for analysis. Age, religion, education, maritial status, family type, remuneration, partner’
job, saving pattern, debt and repayment of debt, reason for preferring this job were analysed. The study revealed
that there is substantial change in the Socio Economic conditions of Harithakarmasena workers. 35-45 is the
median of age group and Plus two is the mean education of HKS in Kannur corporation.70% of the workers
were married and most of their partners working informal sector. The salary of HKS ranges from 8000- 12000
rupees with the target of covering 55 households. Most of the workers engaged informal jobs before this venture
where their salary ranges from 5000-6000 rupees. Most of the workers (38.33%) preferred this job expecting
future benefits and 18.33% of workers were preferred for environmental concern. As HKS are connected with
kudumbasree, all the workers have thrift behaviour. There is no regular investment behaviour among the HKS
workers. 80% of the HKS workers have debt out of which 70% started repayment after got job in
Harithakarmasena. Lack of corporation from some households, no restroom and toilet facilities make challenges
for their working. Health issues like allergy, backpain and body pain are also hurdle for HKS in Kannur
corporation.
Keywords: Harithakarmasena, solid waste management, socio-economic condition, women labour
INTRODUCTION
Haritha Karmasena is a venture working in the field of sanitation and waste management in local self-
government bodies in Kerala. In 2017, as part of the Harithakeralam Mission Project implemented by the
Government of Kerala, the formation of Harita Karmasena was held in local self-government bodies. Haritha
karmasena is trying to become self-sufficient by creating new products from waste materials, promoting
recycling and starting innovative green initiatives. More than 3,6000 haritha karma sena workers are currently
working in all the local bodies of the state. The basic facilities, vehicles, uniforms, identity cards etc. required
by them are provided under the leadership of the local self-government bodies. (haritham keralam.govt.in, Govt.
of Kerala, 2024). The collection will be based on user fee (kudumbashree.org). User Fees is one of the most
critical components for the sustainability of the HKS Model. The 2015 Rules allows the collection of user fees
from individual households and institutions based on the rates fixed by LSGs.According to the survey of SWM
896 out of the 941 (95%) of the Gram Panchayats have set no user fees for biodegradable waste collection. The
situation is more or less similar for municipalities with 77% of the municipalities have not fixed any user fee for
biodegradable waste collection. 3 out of the 6 corporations also have not fixed any fee for biodegradable waste
collection. While, 45% of the GPs fixed a user fee of Rs 30 per household in case of household nonbiodegradable
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INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF LATEST TECHNOLOGY IN ENGINEERING,
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ISSN 2278-2540 | DOI: 10.51583/IJLTEMAS | Volume XV, Issue IV, April 2026
waste collection, 31% of the GPs fixed a user fee of Rs 50. Likewise, 22% of the Municipalities had a user fee
of Rs 30 for household Non-Biodegradable waste, while nearly 40% had a user fee of Rs 50 for the same. In
case of corporations, three out of the six had a user fee of Rs 60 per household for the collection of non-
biodegradable waste (SWM REPORT, KILA 2021)
The HKS is a women led, women-owned network of micro-enterprises who undertake collection from houses,
institutions and other sources and perform waste storage and segregation activities at Mini MCFs and MCFs
respectively, so that the waste can finally be taken for treatment. These enterprising women, who mostly come
from the neighbourhood groups (NHGs) fold of Kudumbashree in Kerala, undertake the arduous, labor-intensive
task of door-to- door collection of non-biodegradable waste, segregating it at Material Collection Facilities and
encouraging source level segregation at the houses and institutions they visit. The user-fees collected by these
women from the houses and institutions acts as a source of remuneration for them and helps generate livelihood
(SWM Report- Kila, 2021)
Women’s labour force participation and access to decent work are important and necessary elements of an
inclusive and sustainable development process. Women continue to face many barriers to enter labour market
and to access decent work and disproportionately face a range of multiple challenges relating to access to
employment, choice of work, working conditions, employment security, wage parity, discrimination, and
balancing the competing burdens of work and family responsibilities. In addition, women are heavily represented
in the informal economy where their exposure to risk of exploitation is usually greatest and they have the least
formal protection (mospi.gov.in ). Thus HKS is a productive opportunity for women in kerala to participate in
economic activity. It helps to improve their socio- economic conditions in the society.
There are many studies held on women labour force participation and role of Haritha karma sena in solid waste
management.
Sreeraj (2025) investigates the role of the Haritha Karma Sena in improving the waste management practices in
Kerala, with an emphasis on the environmental, economic, social, and operational implications. The study
revealed that Haritha Karma Sena volunteers have a positive impact on waste management. The results also
shows that the activities of Haritha Karma Sena significantly plays an important role in reducing improper
treatment of waste and there by improve environmental quality.
Shibin etal (2025) study examines the role of Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) in advancing sustainable household
waste management in Valanchery Municipality, Kerala. the results show that Haritha Karma Sena has increased
trash segregation, collection frequency, and community participation.
Jipson Joseph & Ananya Pandey (2025) tries to critically analyze the Haritha Karma Sena model of waste
management in order to examine whether it is a suitable model of waste management. This mission functioned
with the field work of Haritha Karma Sena (Green Task Force), mostly employed by uneducated women. They
have provided awareness among the public and systematically managed waste with their committed work.
However, it also has many drawbacks and failures with regard to its implementation
Albert Alex & R. Saritha (2025) examines the health outcomes, economic stability, and job satisfaction of HKS
workers, focusing on women employed in waste collection, segregation, and recycling. HKS supports both
economic stability and satisfaction to an extent, health and income challenges reveal key areas for improvement.
Sreekala(2025) examines the role of Haritha Karma Sena (HKS) in achieving dual objectives of income
generation and environmental sustainability in Malappuram Municipality, Kerala. Haritha Karma Sena as a
scalable model that integrates livelihood enhancement with environmental stewardship, offering valuable
insights for policy makers, development practitioners, and local governments aiming to promote sustainable,
inclusive development.
Thodukayil et al.(2024) there was a negative societal perception towards them, and secondly, there was a lack
of appropriate state response to their needs and requirements. These challenges were attributed to gaps and
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pitfalls in the formalization process, leading to a lowered socio-economic status for the women, increased
vulnerability to health hazards, and societal stigma.
Most of the studies on HKS focused on their role in SWM. The present study focusing socio economic conditions
and challenges of HKS in Kannur district. Kannur is the star performer with waste being collected by HKS from
up to 70% of households, Thiruvananthapuram district lags behind with waste being collected by HKS from
only 27% of households (SWM REPORT, KILA 2021).
Objectives of the Study
1. To understand the socio- economic status of Harithakarmasena workers in Kannur
2. To evaluate challenges of Harithakarmasena workers in Kannur
METHODOLOGY
The study is based on primary data collected from Harithakarmasena workers in Kannur corporation. There are
112 Haritha karmasena workers in Kannur corporation out of which 60 workers were randomly selected as
sample for the study. A depth interview conducted to understand their problems in this field. Data collected
through mailed questionnaire. Simple statistical tools (Average, percentage, histogram, pie diagrams were used
for the analysis. Secondary information related to the study were collected from website of Government of
Kerala, Kudumbashree mission, Local self Govt, Harithakarmasena region office, kannur.
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
The study revealed that there is substantial change in the Socio Economic conditions of Harithakarmasena
workers, It is a successful venture helped improve their socio- economic status. The results of the study are
following
Religion
Religion is an important variable affects the female labour force participation. Studies suggest that Muslim and
Sikh women have lower odds ratio of labour force participation (Sujata Kar, 2025). As in the case of
harithakarmasena workers all the selected samples belongs to Hindu religion. There is no worker from other
religion.
Age
Age based disparities are highly seen in labour force participation. In the case of harithakarmasena workers 25-
55 is the age structure. There is no worker below 25 and above 55. The age distribution of workers shown in
table below
Age wise distribution of sample
Age group
No. Of workers
Percentage
15-25
0
0
25-35
19
31.67
35-45
33
55
45-55
8
13.33
55-65
0
0
Source: primary data 2026
It is understood that 35-45 is the median age group of HKS workers, 55% of the samples belonging to this
group. Followed by 25-35 age group with 31. 67% and lower participation from age group 45-55 years.
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Education
Education and employment are highly connected variables. As far as Kerala concerned underemployment trend
is highly seen. People are unable to find job according to their qualification. They are forced to enter the
economic activity which is below their skill. The distribution of education among the sample is given in pie
diagram
Source: primary data 2026
It is found that Plus two is the mean education of HKS in Kannur corporation, 56% have plus two and 32%
qualified their SSLC. Ten percentage people belongs to below SSLC. As education is the mean for attaining
economic activity, better education leads to better job opportunities. As far as HKS field concerned there is no
need of high education, skills and experience. But it is noticed that degree qualified workers are also in this field
(2%) which pointing out the underemployment reality of Kerala Economy.
Maritial sand family status
As far as women concerned marriage and motherhood is biggest hurdle for their economic contribution. Maritial
status of HKS are given in the table below.
Maritial status
No. of workers
Percentage
Married
42
70
Unmarried
5
8.33
Widow
13
21.67
Source: primary data 2026
Out of 60 workers 70% were married, 21.67% were widowed and 8.34% were unmarried. The married workers
were started to participate in labour force after 5- 7 years after marriage. It is understood that they are ready to
part of economic activity when they had many financial constraints in their life. Out of the 42 married HKS
workers their partners are working under informal sectors as shown in the table below
Job
Frequency
Percentage
Fishing
4
9.52
Autorikshaw driver
18
42.86
Small scale household business
20
47.62
Source: primary data 2026
Below SSLC
10%
SSLC
32%
PLUS TWO
56%
DEGREE
2%
ABOVE DEGREE
0%
Below SSLC SSLC PLUS TWO DEGREE ABOVE DEGREE
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It was also found that 58.30% are belonging to joint family and 41.7% are nuclear family. Eventhough family
setup is a big hurdle to women labour force participation, HKS workers opined that joint family gave protection
to their children when they are engaged in their economic activity and nuclear family getting all types of freedom
for the women households.
Remuneration
As economic benefit is the prime motive for labour force participation, The average monthly income of HKS
members in Municipalities is the most - Rs 10,343, as opposed to Rs 8,583 in Corporations and just Rs 3,766 in
GPs. The average monthly income of HKS members working in Panchayats is barely sufficient, risking making
the model unsustainable in these areas. There are, however, some outliers, with the average monthly income of
HKS members in GPs of Kottayam and Kasargod being as high as Rs 12,575 and Rs 6,022 respectively (SWM
REPORT, KILA 2021).
HKS workers in Kannur corporation were earning maximum amount of 10,000 per month and maximum of
2000 rupees as allowance. Thus the amount 12000 rupees can be get only when satisfying conditions like no
leave , covering on an average 55 households per month. Eventhough there is no formal restriction for taking
leave but they have to face economic loss of around 385 rupees per day. User fee collected from households is
the source of their remuneration. The collected userfee will be transferred to the office account and their salary
is handover to their hand on last day of the month.
Income (in rupees)
No. of workers
Percentage
Below 8000
0
0
8000-10000
28
46.67
10000-12000
32
53.33
Source: primary data 2026
As the salary of the workers depends upon number of households they visit per month. Their salary varies
between 8000- 12000 rupees per month. Out of the 60 sample workers 46.67% were getting monthly income of
8000-1000 rupees and 53.33% were earning 10000- 12000 rupees.
Most of the workers (80%) engaged in informal jobs before HKS and earned maximum income of rupees 5000-
6000 range.
Reason for prefering job
Reason
Frequency
Percentage
Time flexibility
22
36.67
No skill/ experience needed
4
6.67
Future benefit
23
38.33
Environmental protection
11
18.33
Source: primary data 2026
Most of the workers (38.33%) preferred this job expecting future benefits. 36.67% workers were preferred due
to time flexibility, there is no exact duty time. 18.33% of workers were environmental concern and 6.67% were
preferred because they have no other job experience or skill.
Saving, investment and debt of HKS
As HKS are connected with kudumbashree, all the workers have thrift behaviour. Out of which 60% have NHG
thrift only. Others have extra savings in banks and post office. 20% have pigmi savings 15% have post office
deposit and 5% have bank deposit as shown in figure below
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Source: primary data 2026
Investment involves risk factor, it is prefered by risk lovers. There is no regular investment behaviour among the
HKS workers only 4% of the workers have gold investment.
Debt and repayment of debt is an indicator of economic progress.80% of the HKS workers have debt , most of
them take loan from Kudumbhashree and 70% started repayment after got job in Harithakarmasena.
Source: primary data 2026
Challenges
Even though HKS is a good model for solid waste management and women empowerment there are many
challenges to be addressed.
No-Co-operation from the part of households is a big hurdle. Some households are not ready to pay user fee,
some are not properly dumping waste sometimes plastic waste were mixed with food waste. Waste carrying
vehicle will not travel to narrow roads, so HKS workers sometimes have to carry heavy weights to road side.
which create health issues for workers, they suffer with back pain and body pain. Inadequate safety tools and
hazardous waste handling leads to allergy and other related health problems.
60%
5%
15%
20%
saving pattern
NHG saving only bank deposit post office deposit pigmi
80%
20%
DEBT
yes no
30%
70%
REPAYMENT OF DEBT
started before joint HKS Started after joint HKS
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CONCLUSION
HKS is a successful model for women empowerment and SWM in rural and urban area. Workers in urban area
have good socio- economic condition and their economic and social status improved after joint HKS. Good
awareness to the public about waste management and adequate supply of equipment and insurance coverage
should be ensured.
REFERENCES
1. Albert Alex & R. Saritha (2025), “Empowering Green Warriors: Assessing the Impact of Haritha Karma
Sena on Health and Economic Stability in Nilambur Block Panchayat”, International journal for research
trends in social science and humanities
2. Fathima Sherin Ottakkam Thodukayila, Rahana Salahudeen Raseenaa, Udhayakumar Palaniswamya and
Sigamani Panneerb (2024)“Challenges of Women Workers in the Solid Waste Management Sector of
Kerala: On the Path to Formalization”. Ideas, Interventions and Challenges, 373–397, Emerald
Publishing Limited
3. Jipson Joseph and Ananya Pandey (2025) “Kerala's Haritha Karma Sena Model of Waste Management:
A Critical Analysis Through the Lens of Sustainability”, Sustainable Construction and Heritage
Conservation in the Digital Age (pp.237-264)
4. Shibin E & Divya M (2025) “Green revolution in waste management: kerala’s haritha karma sena and
path to zero waste home” , International Journal of research in commerce& management studies, vol.7(5)
5. Solid Waste Management Report(2021), Kerala Institute for Local Administration
6. Sreeja N R (2025) “Impact of haritha karma sena on waste management system in households with a
special reference to Ernakulam”, International journal of management, economics and commerce,
2(2)16-24
7. Sujata Kar(2025). "Religion and female labor force participation in India," Review of Development
Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(2), pages 917-948.
8. Govt. of Kerala.org.in
9. Kudumbashree.org.in
