A socioeconomic study of the Indians in the rubber and oil-palm estates in the states of Perak and Selangor / Daniel J. Rabindra

Daniel , J. Rabindra (1978) A socioeconomic study of the Indians in the rubber and oil-palm estates in the states of Perak and Selangor / Daniel J. Rabindra. Masters thesis, Universiti Malaya.

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Abstract

The general aim of the is study is to indicate the quality of life amongst the plantation workers. This is attempted by a tudy of the following variables: (1) income and expenditure (2) education nd mobility (3) health and living conditions, (such as housing) (4) attitudes towards life and (5) religious aspects. A combination of these variables will reveal the general life style of the plantation workers. In the first chapter the presence of Indians in Southeast Asia in the classical period is briefly sketched. The modern period refers to the immigration of the labour class into Malaya. The nature and causes of the coming of Indians into Malaya will be briefly dealt with, limiting the period to the year 1953 when the Indian population in Malaya was more or less stabilised. A brief synopsis is also given of the creation of a pluralistic society. which serves as a key to appreciate the position of the Indian in relationship to other races of Malaysia in the socioeconomic sphere. The second chapter is a brief survey of the relevant literature available on this area study. The sources were both government publications and contributions by academic scholars. It is mainly a review and statement of the socioeconomic conditions of Malaysians with special reference to the position of Indians. The third chapter entitled ‘Research design’ spells out the specific aims of the thesis, the methodology and a description of the three estates. The fourth chapter is the outcome of the analysis of the data on income and expenditure, educational level, and the probable reasons for early drop-outs will be established. The living conditions and the common diseases usually suffered by estate workers will be pointed out. The fifth chapter reveals the plantation workers’ relationship with associations which are outside the administration of the estate management, such as political parties, trade union and cooperative. An attempt has been made to gauge the estate workers' expectation of the union and their knowledge of the workings of a cooperative society. A brief study is also made of the plantation workers ' non-material aspects of life, such as general attitudes toward life, job satisfaction and leisure-time activities. Some probable causes are established for the lack of inter-generational mobility. The seventh and last chapter is a summary and conclusion of the entire thesis.

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