For generations, Indians have shopped for food and groceries at open markets and from
Over 90 percent of all women workers in India are vegetable and garment venders, in-home
street venders. This vender specializes in dried chili peppers and rice. Another spice vender
seamstresses, bidi (cigarette) rollers, paper pickers, construction workers, incense stick
explains: “Our spices are sourced from rich soils. I also sell a secret mix of masala (a blend
makers, and agricultural workers. An organization called the Self-Employed Women’s Asso-
of spices) and curry powder. The Indian people, they like food with sweet aromas.�
ciation seeks to help vegetable sellers, like this woman, form cooperatives and bargain for a living wage.26
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india in a time of globalization
work
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