The 100 percent price hike

Chennai, Due to the increased prices of raw materials, it is finally decided that a matchbox that was previously priced at Rs 1 will now be sold at Rs 2 from 1^st December 2021 onwards, however, the match count will also be increased from 36 matches to 50 matches per pack.

The secretary of the National Small Matchbox Manufacturers Association Mr. V.S. Seturtinam said that demand for the raise of the selling price of the small matchboxes has been made after 14 years, and this is only because of the increased price of the raw products that are required in making matches.

“We do not have any other option than to raise the selling price of the product as the prices of all the 14 raw materials that are required to make the matches have been increased. The price of one Kilogram of red phosphorus has increased from Rs 410 per Kg to Rs 850 per Kg, Wax now costs Rs 85/Kg that was once Rs 72/Kg, Potassium chlorate is now Rs 80/Kg from Rs 68/Kg, The splints are now purchased at Rs 48/Kg which was once Rs 42/Kg, The outer box now costs Rs 55/Kg which was once Rs 48/Kg and the outer box is now purchased at Rs 48/Kg that once coasted Rs 38/Kg. This way the rates of all the raw materials have been hiked.” Seturtinam said.

Although Seturtinam assured that when the prices will hike from Rs1 per box to Rs 2 per box, there will also be an increase in the match count as previously there used to be 35 matches per box but now there would be 50 matches in each box, “the hike in the price is only demanded because of the increased rates of raw materials, the extra charged amount will only help the situations caused due to price hike of materials and the decision is taken after many discussions and meetings with various associations” he added.

The state of Tamil Nadu is one of the leading manufacturers of matches in which Kovilpatti, Stur, Sivakasi, Thiurthangal, Attayapuram, Kazugumlai, Shankarankoil, Gudiyattam, and Kaveripakkam are the main areas of production, the state has almost 1000 small and big match production houses.

The rise in the prices of fuel was also held responsible as it has increased the transportation costs of matches in different parts of the country

 Writer’s opinion:

Nearly 5 Lakh people in India are currently dependent upon the match stick-making business, in which 90% of the working population are females.

If we look at the working condition of the match stick making laborers it is quite pathetic as the laborers working in these factories do work with strong chemicals on an everyday basis which often costs them their life not to mention the chances of accidents that always hand upon their necks as they always work with highly inflammable chemicals.

The workers often do face a condition called “phosphorous necrosis of the jaw” which is a physical ailment that causes the jaw bone to rot.

With all the troubles all these years they have offered us the matchbox at just Rs 1 and now finally after 14 years they have to increase the cost of their product because of the increased caused of raw materials is justified.

But when we look at the section of society which is so poor, that to afford Rs1 matchstick was a huge issue for them, this price hike will defiantly be a problem, thus to them, it might sound like the worst decision.

After looking at everything I still feel sad for the laborers that are engaged in the matchmaking factories as their lives were only priced at Rs1 and now at Rs 2.

Tell us what you think about this price raise in the comments section below