Sugarcane workers in Jalna district undergo surgeries to avoid wage loss
What happened
Over a period of fourteen months, from August 1, 2025, to October 25, 2026, 107 sugarcane-cutting women in Jalna district had their wombs removed. The surgeries were reportedly performed so that period pains would not result in lost wages. The women were from Ghansawangi taluka and Partur taluka.
From countercurrents.org
Why it matters
The incident highlights the economics of sugarcane cutting, where labor contractors provide advances that bind workers for the season. If a worker's unit is incomplete because the wife does not go to work, the shortfall is deducted from wages, driving the women to seek surgical solutions.
Severe drought and water scarcity issues are affecting the Jalna district in Maharashtra.
From countercurrents.org
Who's involved
- MaharashtraThe state where the sugar industry and labor issues are occurring.
- JalnaThe district where the incident involving the sugarcane workers took place.
- Government of MaharashtraThe state government agency whose health department was questioned regarding the incident.
Keep exploring
Part of
Severe drought and water scarcity issues are affecting the Jalna district in Maharashtra.Also in this story
- Upstream rainfall is impacting a major irrigation project, causing issues in Jalna district.
- The National Human Rights Commission is investigating alleged human rights violations in the Jalna district.
The entities involved
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Maharashtra
state in the western and central peninsular region of India
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Jalna
city in Jalna district in the Aurangabad Division, or Marathwada region, in Maharashtra, India
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