Person Analysis
We went to local, family based cricket ball manufacturers. We observed the whole process of leather ball making which is a two steps process consisting of leather processing and stitching. We use some of the key criteria’s for person analysis
Work History
Cricket ball making has a major work area in leather processing. As each product being made in Meerut, by family owned businesses is particularly based in distinct villages, cricket ball making is situated in Shobhapur. It used to be the major business of many families but currently only a few players exist there. The reason being, entry of bigger players and more importantly, the manual work of leather processing which is a taboo in that place since it creates a stink and makes the place inhabitable. Nevertheless, manually processed leather has its own positives too which has made sure the sustenance of these businesses. We spoke to the workers making the balls. The roles are caste based. Lower caste people do the leather processing work. It’s a week-long process which involves cleaning the leather and drying it. Their own community people follow them in that line of work. In case of stitching too new workers are brought by the old ones and taught. People continue what their family business is into, for example for a family; its generations would continue to manufacture balls, which they have been doing since years.

Training received
As per survey they all received on the job training. There isn’t any designed or structured program for same. The tasks are distinct and roles are well clarified. A senior worker takes a junior one under him and makes him learn the process.
Challenges faced at various stages of the job-task-sub-tasks
One of the major concerns is availability of labor. With the business going down as there is a decline in family owned businesses in this line, people don’t feel interested in working in this field.
The first step is to get the raw leather. It is obtained from Hapur market. This is then cleaned and dried. This creates a stink which is one of the main reasons for the downfall of manual processing. Bigger manufacturers have mechanized process which is faster. This makes it cheaper too and rules out manual labor in this area of work in bigger companies.
Another challenge is, no safety standards are present while using the chemicals to clean the leather. Long term effects are very harmful.
The workers sit on the floor whole day and work on their respective roles. No proper sitting area or facility is provided.
A social stigma is attached with the workers working in the leather processing roles. Workers don’t have any certification and hence can’t approach bigger firms. Hence they are exploited in terms of working conditions and probably wages too. Another problem is that with the psyche of laborers. From the survey it was found that they need behavioral training as well. They are satisfied with what they are doing. Many of them want to earn that minimum amount required to satisfy their needs on daily basis.
The resistance to change is evident in the owners. They don’t want to adopt new technologies for better processing and faster production.

Various skills-sets possessed 1. Cleaning the raw leather by dipping in a chemical which separates the skin and hairs 2. Scrubbing out the fats from the leather 3. Drying the leather 4. Dying the leather, white or red color as per requirement 5. Cutting into required pieces 6. Shaping using machine 7. Inserting cork and shaping the ball 8. 2 layers of stitching 9. Polishing