The Condition of Workers in the Garment Industry

The Condition of Workers in the Garment Industry and How Our Ladaku Garment Mazdoor Sangh is Trying to Fight for their Rights xkjesa. V m|ksx ds dkexkjksa dh ifjf. LFkfr vk. Sj gekjk y. M+kdw xkjesa. V et+nwj la? k d. Sls muds vf/kdkjsak ds fy, y. M+us dh dksf’k’k dj jgk g. SA 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 1

Garment Industry in India fg. Unks. Lrku dk xkjesa. V m|ksx • Readymade garments exports in 2007 -08: 9 billion USD ( Rs 42, 000 crore) • Major hubs of production - NCR, Mumbai, Bangalore, Tirupur and Ludhiana. • India’s largest garment exporter, Gokaldas Exports, Bangalore employs over 48, 000 workers in 48 factories § 2007 & 08 esa js. Mhes. M xkjesa. V dh fu; k. Zr #42]000 djks. M+ § T; knkrj m. Riknu bu bykdksa esa & fn. Yyh vk. Sj mlds bn. Z fxn. Z] eq. Ecb. Z] csaxyq: ] fr#iqj] yqf/k; kuk § fg. Unks. Lrku dk lc ls c. M+k fu; k. Zrd g. S xksdqynkl 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium , DLiks. VZ~l] csaxyq: ] ftlds ikl 48 QWDVfj; ksa 2 esa 48]000 od. Zj g. Sa. A

Garment Industry in India - 2 • • • fg. Unks. Lrku dk xkjesa. V m|ksx & In 2004 -05, when MFA was abolished: 2 No. of garment units in the country: 65000 Majority of factories in small scale Only 30 -40 large units. Industry employed 3. 5 million people. Total value of production: Rs 110000 crore; 80% for domestic market; rest exported § 2004 & 05 esa tc e. YVh Qk; ~cj Vªs. M , xzhesa. V c[+kk. ZLr dh x; h] rc ns’k esa 65]000 xkjesa. V ; wfu. V § cgqla[; Nks. Vs m|ksx § fl. Q+Z 30 & 40 c. M+s ; wfu. V § xkjesa. V m|ksx esa 35 yk[k ls T+; knk dkexkj § dqy m. Riknu dk ew. Y; % #-1]10]000 djks. M+] ftl esa 80 Áfr’kr ns’k esa vk. Sj ckdh dk fu; k. Zr gksrk g. SA 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 3

Mumbai Garment Industry • • • eq. Ecb. Z xkjesa. V O; olk; No statistics available Lakhs of workers and a few thousand factories 10 -15 workers in small factories 500 – 700 in big ones About 60% of the workforce is male and 40% female § lgh vakd. M+sa miy. C/k ugha g. Sa. A § dq. N yk[k et+nwj dke djrs g. Sa db. Z gtkj QWDVjh; ak esa. A § Nks. Vh QWDVjh; sak esa dke djusokys et+nwjksadh la[; k 10 ls 15 § c. Ms+ QWDVjh; sak esa dke djusokys et+nwjksadh 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 5 la[; k 500 ls 700

Working Conditions dke dh gkyr • Many workers are not literate • Less space, maximum number of sewing machines • Ill ventilated • Hot • Badly lit Because of all this … § § § vusd et+nwj i<+s fy[ks ughas g. Sa. A txg de] T+; knk ls T+; knk flykb. Z e’hku de gok xeh. Z de jks’kuh dh otg ls --- 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 6

Workers in Garment Industry Suffer from a Variety of Illnesses xkjesa. V O; olk; esa dke djus okyksadks cgqrlh fcekfj; ak gksrh g. S • • • § § § TB Bach ache Knee ache Cough Eye Problems Early aging Vh-chih. B nn. Z ? kq. Vuksadk nn. Z [kaklh vk[kskadh fcekjh; k¡ cq<+kik t. Ynh vkuk 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 7

Tirupur fr#iqj • Biggest hosiery garments production center • Employs 400, 000 workers regularly; additional 500, 000 seasonally; most of them women and teenager girls • Turnover of Rs 10, 000 crore ns’k dk lc ls c. M+k gksft+; jh] ; kfu fd eksts] b - dk m. Riknu dsanz § fu; fer rk. Sj ij 4 yk[k et+nwj vk. Sj lh>u esa vk. Sj 5 yk[k. A bu esa c. M+h ek=k esa efgyk vk. Sj uk. Stoku y. M+fd; ak § #- 10]000 djks. M+ dk dkjksckj 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 8

Tirupur dowry earning scheme fr#iqj esa ngst dekus dh ; kstuk • An advertisement by Tirupur producer: “ Golden opportunities for working women – eight, ninth and tenth pass or failed. We provide food and accommodation. After three years, we pay Rs 70, 000. ” § , d fr#iqj m. Riknd }kjk Ádkf’kr fd; k x; k v. WM & **8 oh] 9 oh ; k 10 oh ikl ; k Qsy dkexkj efgykvksa ds fy, lqo. k. Zla/kh. A ge [kkus dh vk. Sj jgus dh O; o. LFkk djrs g. Sa. A 3 lky ckn ge #- 70]000 nsrs g. Sa. A 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 9

Tirupur dowry earning scheme - 2 fr#iqj esa ngst dekus dh ; kstuk & 2 • Gullible parents send their ‘marriageable’ daughters to earn a dowry – called ‘Sumangal Scheme’ • Girls of 15 -18 years brought in as apprentices for 3 years and after that thrown out § cspkjs eak ckiksaus bl r. Fkkdf. Fkr lqeaxy Ldhe ls ngst dekus ds fy, viuh y. M+fd; ak Hkst nh. A § 15 ls 18 lky ds y. M+fd; ksa dks vÁsaf. Vl ds rk. Sj ij j[kk x; k vk. Sj 3 lky ckn m. Ugsa ckgj Q+sadk x; k. A LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 2 Aug 2009 10

Tirupur thrives on bonded women labour fr#iqj esa ca/kqvk efgyk et+nwjksa dk vfr’kks"k. k • Housed 20 to a room and treated like bonded labour • Paid Rs 34/day for first six months; increment of Rs 2 for every six months; Rs 450 – 550 deducted for boarding and lodging • Contact with parents restricted § , d : e esa 20 & 20 dks Bwlk tkrk g. S § igys 6 efguksa esa n. Sfud osru ek= #- 34 gksrk g. SA gj 6 efguksa ds ckn #- 2 dh c<+r § ml esa [kkus vk. Sj jgus ds uke ij #- 450 & 500 dh dikr § Ekak ckiksa ds lk. Fk laid. Z ij fuc. Za/k 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 11

Bangalore csaxyq: • Average income of garment worker – only Rs 3500/month • Roughly 80% workers are women of 21 to 25 years age • Most semi-skilled migrant workers and sole earning members of family § xkjesa. V od. Zj dk ekfld osru vk. Slru fl. Q+Z #3500 § rdjhcu 80 Áfr’kr efgyk dkexkj ftudh mez 21 vk. Sj 25 lky ds chp gksrh g. SA § bu esa vf/kdre fuedq’ky xako ls vk; s gq, et+nwj tks ifjokj ds vdsys dekusokys gksrs g. Sa. A 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 12

Working Conditions dke djus dh ifjf. LFkfr • Physically demanding work, • Impossible targets of 100 -120 garments an hour set as against the normal rate of 60 -70 pieces. • Made more punishing by the verbal harassment to goad women to work faster and longer hours, often skipping lunch to meet their targets. § d. M+s ifj. Je okyk dke § Áfr ? ka. Vs 100 ls 120 xkjesa. V ds vl. EHko Vkxs. ZV j[ks tkrs g. Sa] tc dh lk/kkj. k rk. Sj ij 60 ls 70 cukuk eqefdu gksrk g. SA § blds Åij vk. Sj rst j¶+rkj ls vk. Sj T+; knk ? ka. Vksa rd dke djokus ds fy, mu ij ’kkf. Cnd geys gksrs g. Sa. A Vkxs. ZV gkfly djus ds fy, db. Z ckj m. Ugsa viuk [kkuk ihuk Hkwy 2 Aug 2009 13 tkuk i. M+rk g. SA LRS, KEC TISS Symposium

Health Lok. LF; • Eighty percent of TB patients registered with ESIC are garment workers exposed to cotton fluff • Half the workers, in a study, complained of backache and breathing problems • Apart from this they also have neck pain and knee pain § ESIC ds lk. Fk ftrus Vh- ch- is’ak. V dh uksan. kh gqb. Z g. S] mu esa 80 Áfr’kr xkjesa. V et+nwj g. Sa] ftu ds dke dh txg ij okrkoj. k esa ges’kk /kkxs jgrs g. Sa. A § , d v/; ; u ds vuqlkj vk/ks et+nwjksa dks ih. B esa nn. Z vk. Sj lakl dh le. L; k, a gksrh g. Sa. A § bl ds vykok xn. Zu vk. Sj ? kq. Vuksa ds nn. Z Hkh 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 14 gksrs g. Sa. A

Afraid to report injuries pks. V fjiks. VZ djus dk Mj • Injuries are common, especially puncture wounds from needles on the fingertips and nails • Afraid to report injury as she may be declared unfit and thrown out § pks. V yxuk vke ckr g. S] [kkl djds maxfy; ak vk. Sj uk[kwuksa dks lqb. Z vkjikj tkus ls pks. V igqaprh g. SA § Ysfdu mldk fjiks. VZ djuk [krjukd g. S] D; wafd mlds cgkus m. Ugsa fudkyk tkrk 15 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium

Absence of Facilities lqfo/kkvksa dk v. Hkko • Absence of toilets generally; if they exist are unbearably dirty • Supervisor keeps track on number of toilet breaks a worker takes • Long hours of sitting and very little water intake to avoid going to toilet causes constipation and piles • Anaemia among women garment workers and complaints of gastric ulcers are very common. § vke rk. Sj ij ’kk. Spky; ugha gksrs g. Sa. A vxj gksrs Hkh g. S rks cgqr gh xans. A § , d et+nwj fdrus Vk; ys. V cszd ysrh g. S] bldk Hkh fglkc lqiok. Zbt+j j[krk g. SA § vusd ? ak. Vksa rd c. SBuk vk. Sj cgqr de ikuh ihuk] ftlls Vk; ys. V tkuk u i. M+s] bldh otg ls d. Ct vk. Sj cokflj dh fcekfj; ak gks tkrh g. Sa. A § Efgyk xkjesa. V et+nwjksa esa j. Drghurk vk. Sj is. V ds 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium v. Yljksa dh fcekfj; ak cgqr T+; knk g. Sa. A 16

Wages / Income ixkj @vkenuh • • 1. 2. • Most workers do not receive fixed wages but work on piece rate There are two categories of workers in the garment industry: Those who work on piece rate like tailors, pressmen, button operators Those who work on fixed wages like helpers, checkers, thread cutters, masters Their work depends on the season. When there is work they get paid. When there is no work, they get no pay. T+; knkrj et+nwjksadk isesa. V f. QDLk ugh gksrk cf. Yd ihl js. V ij gksrk g. SA § xkjesa. V m|ksx es nks d. WVsxjh ds od. Zj gksrs g. Sa. A , d esa Vsyj] izslesu] dkt c. Vu vk. Wijs. Vj ihl js. V ij dke djus okys gksrs g. Sa. A rks nwljs esa gs. Yij] psdj] /kkxk d. Vj] ek. LVj vkfn f. QDLk osru ij gksrs g. SA § Lkht+u ds eqrkfcd mudks dke jgrk g. SA tc dke jgsxk rks osru. A dke ugha rks osru ugha. A 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 17 §

Hopeless Economic Conditions [k+jkc vkf. Fk. Zd ifjf. LFkfr • • • § § § 12 – 15 hours of work Weekly payment No extra payment for overtime Always under pressure to produce more This is an easy way to over exploit the workers Their income and economic conditions are always poor 12 ls 15 ? ka. Vs dke isesa. V g¶+rs dk. A vksoj Vkbe dk T; knk osru ugh nsrs A gj le; T+; knk Áks. MD’ku dk ncko A ; g ’kks"k. k dk vklku Rkjhdk xkjesa. V ekfyd viukrs g. SA et+nwjksa dh vkenuh vk. Sj mudh vkf. Fk. Zd ifjf. LFkfr ges’kk [kjkc jgrh g. SA 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 18

Violation of Minimum Wages Act • U; wure osru dkuwu dk m. Yya? ku Minimum Wages The government was forced to pass the Act for garment workers. • Maaliks pay less than the minimum wages. • For example, for July – December 2008, workers should have been paid at least Rs. 4300 per month. But the garment maaliks used to pay only Rs. 1800 – Rs. 3000 per month. § xkjesa. V m|ksx ds fy, ljdkj dks U; wure osru dkuwu ikl djuk i. M+k. A § ml ls de osru xkjesa. V ekfyd et+nwjksadks nsrs g. Sa. A § mnkgj. k ds rk. Sj ij tqy. S ls f. Mls. Ecj 2008 ds fglkc ls et+nwjksadks de ls de 4300 #i; s feyuk pkfg; s] ysfdu xkjesa. V ekfyd 1800 #i; ksa ls 3000 #i; ksa 19 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium rd gh osru nsrs Fksa. A

Minimum Wages for Garment Industry xkjesa. V m|ksx ds et+nwjksa ds fy, fdeku osru From 1 Jan 2009, Rs/mo. for Zone 1 (Mumbai, Bangalore, etc. ) • Skilled: 5033 • Semi-skilled: 4933 • Unskilled: 4833 Tkkusokjh 2009 ls fdeku ekfld osru] >ksu 1 ds fy, ¼eq. Ecb. Z] csaxyq: ] b-½ § dq’ky & #- 5033 § fuedq’ky & #- 4933 § vdq’ky & #- 4833 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 20

Effect of International Market v. Urjk. Z"Vªh; ckt+kj dk iz. Hkko Indian garment industry is affected due to the global recession • • Reduced exports led to reduced work • International buyers place orders wherever the price is lower • So maaliks pressurize workers to work at lower piece rates, or reduce the workforce or close their companies § Ckkt+kj es v. Urjk. Z"Vªh; eanh ls xkjesa. V m|ksx ij mldk vlj i. M+rk g. S A § , Dliks. VZ de ; kuh dke de. A § v. Urjk. Z"Vªh; O; kikjh] ft/kj de js. V esa m. Riknu djus ds fy; s r. S; kj g. Sa] m/kj gh vk. WMZj nsrs g. Sa. A § blfy; s ekfyd de js. V eas dke djus ds fy; s ncko M+kyrk g. S] ; k et+nwjksadh Na. Vuh djrk g. S] ; k f. Qj daiuh can djrk g. SA 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 21

Effect of global recession on Bangalore garment industry • csaxyq: ds xkjesa. V m|ksx ij eanh dk ÁHkko & 1 Largest employment provider next to Beedi industry in Karnataka; • 2900 factories in Karnataka ; Bangalore has 2600. • New recruitment halted. • About 40, 000 workers laid off; 50 garment factories closed in the past 6 months. § ch. Mh m|ksx ds ckn ; g duk. ZVdk dk lc ls T+; knk et+nwjksa okyk m|ksx. A § duk. ZVdk esa 2900 QWDVfj; ak] ftl esa ls 2600 csaxyq: esa g. Sa. A § Uk; h Hkjrh vc can g. SA § fi. Nys 6 efguksa esa 50 QWDVfj; ksa dks can fd; k x; k vk. Sj 40]000 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium ysvk. WQ fn; k 22 dkexkjksa dks 2 Aug 2009 x; k. A

Effect of global recession on Bangalore garment industry - 1 • csaxyq: ds xkjesa. V m|ksx ij eanh dk ÁHkko & 2 Garment workers believe that unscrupulous apparel industry elements were blowing the global recession to cut down wages and benefits of workers. • Cutting down on overtime payments; others exploring the possibility of part time employment to its full time workforce. § xkjesa. V dkexkjksa dk ekuuk g. S fd dkexkjksa ds osruksa vk. Sj csusf. QVksa esa dikr djus ds fy, eanh dks c<+k p<+kdj crk; k tk jgk g. SA § vksoj. Vkbe isesa. Vksa esa dikr. A vk. Sj lksp 23 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium

Effect of global recession on Bangalore garment industry - 2 csaxyq: ds xkjesa. V m|ksx ij eanh dk ÁHkko &2 • To avoid workers’ unrest, factory owners cunningly announce the closure of the factory for a week citing some reasons or other and allow the workers to go on leave for this period, however when the workers report back after a week they found the factory closed and the owners missing § dkexkjksa dk la? k"k. Z Vkyus ds fy, ekfyd dq. N u dq. N cgkus ij , d g¶+rs ds fy, QWDVfj; ak can djrs g. Sa vk. Sj dkexkjksa dks ? kj tkus ds fy, yho nsrs g. Sa. A tc dkexkj okil vkrs g. Sa rks os ikrs g. Sa fd QWDVfj; ak can g. Sa vk. Sj ekfyd x+k; c! 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 24

Government stimulus has done nothing to save jobs ljdkjh enn ls dksb. Z Hkh uk. Sdjh ugha cph g. SA • 500, 000 garment workers expected to lose job by the end of 2009 • Many more indirectly associated with the textile industry will be affected. § , slk vuqeku g. S fd 2009 ds vkf[kj rd 5 yk[k xkjesa. V dkexkj uk. Sdjh [kks nsaxs. A § ml ls db. Z T+; knk] tks vÁR; {k : i ls xkjesa. V m|ksx ls tq. M+s gq, g. S] muds Åij Hkh ÁHkko i. M+sxk. A 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 25

What more do employers want? - 1 ekfyd vk. Sj D; k pkgrs g. Sa & 1 Demands put forward by CMAI in their Pre-budget Memorandum 2009 a) Increase Working Hours 10 Hrs. /Day/Shift, totaling to 60 Hrs. /Week/Shift. b) Permit Employment of Female Workers in the entire Second Shift. Dyksf. Fkax e. WU; w. QWDpjl. Z v. Wlksfl, 'ku vk. WQ baf. M; k dk ct. V iwo. Z eakxi= § 1 - dke ds ? ka. Vs c<+kdj Áfr fnu Áfr f'k¶V 10 ? ka. Vs] ; kfu fd Áfr g¶+rk Áfr f'k¶V 60 ? ka. Vs § 2 - iwjh nwljh f'k¶V esa efgyk et+nwjksa dks dke djus dh bt+kt+r 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 26

What more do employers want? - 2 ekfyd vk. Sj D; k pkgrs g. Sa & 2 c) Permit Contract Employment in this Industry with a Guaranteed Employment of a Minimum of 100 Days in a Year. d) Declare GARMENT INDUSTRY as an ESSENTIAL SERVICE INDUSTRY. This will help curb flash strikes (Especially in Export Industry when Production is at its Peak ). § 3 - bl m|ksx esa da=k. Vh dke dks bt+kt+r] Áfr lky de ls de 100 fnu dke dh xkja. Vh lfgr. A § 4 - xkjesa. V m|ksx dks vko'; d lsok m|ksx djkj dj nks] rkfd dkexkj ¶y. W'k LVªkbd ij u tk ldsa ¼[kkl dj fu; k. Zr m|ksx esa] tc m. Riknu lc ls T+; knk gksrk g. SA½ 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 27

Conditions in short - 1 ifjf. LFkfr & la{ksi esa & 1 • • Garment worker is highly exploited, Wages are low Hours of work are long, at least 10 -12 hours a day Forced overtime at no extra pay rate! If refused, unjust dismissal follows § xkjesa. V et+nwj vfr'kks"k. k dk f'kdkj § osru de gksrk g. S § dke ds ? ka. Vs T+; knk gksrs g. S] de ls de Áfr fnu 10 ls 12 § t+cjn. Lrh ls vksoj. Vkbe djokrs g. S] ftl esa osru dh 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 28 nj T; knk ugha gksrh

Conditions in short - 2 ifjf. LFkfr & la{ksi esa & 2 • • No permanency and job security. Non-existent social security benefits Minimum wage requirements are flouted He is always subjected to nasty, offensive talk. If he answers back, he is dismissed. § § iek. Zus. Ulh ; k uk. Sdjh dh lqjf{krrk dk v. Hkko lkekftd lqjf{krrk csusf. QVksa dk v. Hkko U; wure dkuwu dk m. Yya? ku muds lk. Fk ges'kk viekkutud O; ogkj. A vxj m. Ugksa us blds ckjs esa fu"ks/k O; Dr fd; k] rks mudks fudky nsrs g. Sa. A 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 29

Non implementation of laws - 1 dkuwuksa dk lh/kk m. Yya? ku & 1 • The Maharashtra government had to pass the Minimum Wages Act in 1982, but it is rarely observed in practice. • All the Acts pertaining to the Provident Fund, Gratuity, ESIS (Employees’ State Insurance Scheme), Bonus, House Rent Allowance, Maternity benefits, etc. are violated. • The Factory Act is not implemented. • Workers are not granted annual leave of 21 days that is due to them. § egkjk"Vª ljdkj dks 1982 esa U; wure osru dkuwu ikfjr djuk i. M+k] ysfdu mldk vdlj ikyu ugha gksrk § ih- , Q~-] xz. WP; q. Vh] b. Z- , l- vkb. Z- , l-] cksul] ? kj Hkk. Mk Hk. Rrk] ekr`Ro Hk. Rrk] b- lc dkuwuksa dk m. Yya? ku gksrk g. SA § QWDVjh v. WDV dks ykxw ugha fd; k tkrk. A § dkexkjksa dks gj lky 21 fnuksa dh Nqêh ugha nsrs] tks 2 Aug 2009 30 mudk vf/kdkj g. SA LRS, KEC TISS Symposium

Non implementation of laws - 2 dkuwuksa dk lh/kk m. Yya? ku & 2 • They do not get double pay for overtime. • They are not made permanent. • They are made to work for longer than the 8 hours that is required by law. • Their jobs are always under threat How do the maaliks manage to floout all the laws? § dkuwu ds fglkc ls m. Ugsa 8 ? ka. Vk dke djuk pkfg, ] ysfdu ges'kk T+; knk djok; k tkrk g. SA § mudh uk. Sdfj; ak ges'kk [krjs esa gksrh g. Sa. A Ekfydksa ds fy, lc dkuwuksa dk m. Yya? ku djuk d. Sls eqefdu gksrk g. S 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 31

No service proof lfo. Zl Áw. Q gh ugha! • The workers are not given appointment letters, or they are not given on the company letter head, or nothing is clearly mentioned on them. • The muster roll is maintained fraudulently. Actually the worker is supposed to sign, but that is not allowed by the maalik. He is arbitrarily marked present or absent. § et+nwj dks fu; q. Drh i= ugha nsrs] ; k daiuh ds ys. Vj gs. M ij ugha nsrs] ; k f. Qj ml esa Li"V dq. N ugha fy[krs. A § e. LVj jksy >w. Bk gksrk g. SA lgh ek; us esa dkexkj us ml ij n. Lr[kr djuh okfg, ] ysfdu blds fy, ekfyd bt+kt+r ugha nsrk. A mldks euekuh ls gkft+j ; k csgkft+j ekd. Z fd; k tkrk g. SA 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 32

No service proof - 2 lfo. Zl izq. Q gh ugha! & 2 • The attendance card procedure is rarely followed. In some companies that give attendance cards, they don’t give them to the workers as they should, but write them on their own and keep them. • The name of the company is not mentioned either on the payment slip, muster roll, attendance card or identity card. • Workers often don’t even know the name of the maalik. § gkt+jh dk. MZ ds ckjs esa Hkh cgqr gsjk. Qsjh gksrh g. SA db. Z d. Eifu; ksa esa tgak os gksrs Hkh g. Sa] m. Ugsa dkexkjksa dks ugha nsrs] t. Slsfd gksuk pkfg, A ekfyd [kqn mu ij fy[krs g. Sa vk. Sj vius ikl gh j[krs g. Sa. A § isesa. V f. Lyi] e. LVj jksy] gktjh dk. MZ ; k vk; Msaf. VVh dk. MZ ij daiuh dk uke gh ugha gksrk. A 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 33 § db. Z ckj et+nwjksa dks ekfyd dk uke rd ekywe

No service proof - 3 lfo. Zl izq. Q gh ugha! & 3 • Most maaliks don’t sign on the pay registers. Many give vouchers. • Many maaliks do not even keep payment registers, and even if they do, they keep two of them So if we want to file a case, there is often no proof of the worker having ever worked there! § T; knkrj ekfyd is jsft. LVj ij n. Lr[kr ugha djrs. A db. Z rks fl. Q+Z Ogkmpj gh nsrs g. Sa. A ekfyd isesa. V jft. LVj ugh j[krs. A j[ksaxs rks nks rjg ds j[krs ga. SA vxj ekfyd ds f[kyk. Q+ dsl djuk Hkh g. S] rks cgqr ckj dq. N Áw. Q gh ugha jgrk fd og dkexkj d. Hkh ogak dke djrk Fkk! 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 34

Multiple companies - 1 cgqfo/k d. Eifu; ak & 1 • 5 different companies operate from the same shed though law does not permit. • Five musters are maintained. • Visiting cards in the name of five different companies. • Five pay registers but without the name of any company. § x. Sjdkuwuh rjhds ld , d gh ’ks. M esa 5 & 5 d. Eifu; ak gksrh g. Sa. A § 5 vyx e. LVj j[ksa tkrs g. Sa. A § 5 vyx d. Eifu; ksa ds ukeksa ij f. Ogft++f. Vax dk. MZ gksrs g. Sa. A § 5 is jsft. LVj gksrs g. Sa] ysfdu mu ij d. Eiuh dk uke 35 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium ugha jgrk. A

Multiple companies - 2 cgqfo/k d. Eifu; ak & 2 • So the worker does not even know the name of the company of which he is an employee. • They keep changing the name of companies. In some cases, workers who work in the same place are shown as working in different companies. The maaliks do this in order to escape paying legal dues. § bl Ádkj ls et+nwj dks ; gak rd irk ugha gksrk fd og ftl d. Eiuh esa dke djrk g. S] mldk uke D; k g. SA § , d gh txg ij dke djusokyss et+nwj vyx txg ij dke djrs g. Sa , sls crkrs g. Sa. A § Ckkj ckj daiuhdk uke cnyh djuk] , dgh txg ij dke djus okys et+nwjkasdks vyx daiuhds od. Zj crk; k tkrk g. S A dkuwuh lqfo/kk nsus ls cpus ds fy; s ekfyd ; s djrs 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 36 g. Sa. A

Outright cheating - 1 lh/kh /kks[kkn. M+h & 1 • In some cases, a new worker is asked to sign on a blank piece of paper. Then if they unionize, their resignation is typed on it. • Some workers are asked to sign on resignation letters typed in English. • While taking the signature of the workers on payment, PF etc. they write the figures in pencil. § db. Z ckj dksjs dkxt++ ij u; s et+nwj dk n. Lr[k+r ysrs ga. SA f. Qj vxj oksg ; qfu; u esa tq. M+ tkrk g. S rks mldk b. LRkh. Q+k ml ij Vkbi dj nsrs g. Sa. A § db. Z et+nwjksa dks vaxzst+h esa fy[ks b. LRkh. Q+k i= ij n. Lr[kr nsus dks et+cwj djrs g. Sa. A § osru r. Fkk izk. Wf. Og. Ma. V Qa. M b- ij et+nwj dk n. Lr[kr ysus ds o. Dr osru dk vkad. M+k isf. Uly ls fy[krs g. Sa. A 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 37

Outright cheating - 2 lh/kh /kks[kkn. M+h & 2 • They do not use a bound register. Workers realize that they are being cheated, but what is the alternative? In most cases they are so desperate for a job that they join, regardless of everything. § ckÅa. M fd; k jft. LVj dk b. Lrseky ugha djrs. A • et+nwj le>rs g. Sa fd muds lk. Fk /kks[kkn. M+h gks jgh g. S] ij muds ikl fod. Yi D; k g. S • cgqr ckj m. Ugs uk. Sdjh dh bruh l[+r t+: jr gksrh g. S fd bruk lc gksus ds ckn Hkh os uk. Sdjh ds fy, jkt+h gks tkrs g. Sa. A 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 38

Terror at the workplace dke dh txg ij vkrad • An atmosphere of terror is created within the workplace. • The maalik pays 10 -20 goons to keep hanging outside the factory to terrorize them. • Photos of various political leaders are hung from the walls to show the clout of the maaliks. § dke dh txg ij vkrad QSyk; k tkrk g. SA § QWDVjh ds ckgj ekfyd i. Slk nsdj 10 & 12 xqa. Mksa dks j[krk g. SA § Ekkfyd fdruk rkdroj g. S ; g fn[kkus ds fy, fofo/k jktuhfrd usrkvksa ds Qks. Vks Vkax nsrk g. SA 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 39

Contractors used for permanent work iek. Zusa. V Lo: i ds dke ds fy, da=k. Vnkjksa dk b. Lrseky • In the case of work of permanent nature, the maalik does not have the legal right to get it done through contract labour. But a new worker is made to believe that he works for the contractor: • That is what he is told. • A particular person is hired to play the role of a contractor. • It is from his hands that the workers are paid. • It is he who supervises them. § iek. Zusa. V Lo: i ds dke ds fy, da=k. Vh dkexkjksa dk b. Lrseky djus dk dkuwuu vf/kdkj ugha g. SA Yksfdu u; s dkexkj dks trk; k tkrk g. S fd og da=k. Vnkj ds fy, dke dj jgk g. S & § mldks ; gh crk; k tkrk g. SA § da=k. Vnkj gh Hkwfedk vnk djus ds fy, , d vkneh dks j[kk tkrk g. SA § dkexkjksa dks osru mlhds gk. Fkksa ls feyrk g. SA 2 Aug 2009 mudks lqiok. Zbt+ djrk g. SA LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 40 § ogh

Contractors used for permanent work - 2 iek. Zusa. V Lo: i ds dke ds fy, da=k. Vnkjksa dk b. Lrseky There are workers who have worked for 25 years in the same company in this way, thinking all the time that they have been working for contractors! • They are made to believe that contract workers can’t unionize! • , sls dkexkj g. Sa ft. Ugksa us 25 lkyksa rd blh rjhds ls dke fd; k g. S] ; g lksprs gq, fd os da=k. Vnkj ds fy, dke dj jgs g. Sa. A § mudks ; g Hkh trk; k tkrk g. S fd da=k. Vh dkexkj gksus ds ukrs m. Ugsa ; wfu; u cukus dk vf/kdkj ugha g. S! 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 41

The farce of the courtroom U; k; ky; dk uk. Vd • When the worker signs for a pay of Rs. 500, the earlier column is left blank. • After he goes, “ 12” is added to it, so “proof” of him being paid Rs. 12, 500 is created. In the court: • The lawyer of the maalik: Is this your signature? • Worker: Yes. • Lawyer: Then why are you complaining? You have been paid Rs. 12, 500! • Worker: No, I’ve not! • Lawyer: You are a liar! Do the workers have a chance? § et+nwj ls gj rjhds dh pksjh djusokys ekfyd ds f[kyk. Q+ dkuwuh dkjokb. Z djuk vklku ugha § Lkkykslky dslsl dks. VZ esa pyrs & Ekt+nwwj rax gksdj ; k rks dsl Nks. M nsrk g. S ; k rks ekfyd ls de fglkc ysdj fudy tkrk g. SA § § et+nwj tc #- 500 ds osru ij n. Lr[kr djrk g. S] rks mlds igys dkye esa dq. N ugha fy[kk tkrk. A og tkus ds ckn ml esa **12** fy[krs g. Sa. A bl rjg ls #- 12]500 ds osru dk **Áw. Q** cuk; k tkrk g. SA f. Qj dks. VZ esa & § § § Ekfyd dk odhy & ; g rq. Egkjh n. Lr[kr g. S dkexkj & gak odhy & rks f. Qj f’kdk; r D; wa dj jgk g. S rq>s rks 12]500#i; s fn; s g. Sa! dkexkj & ugha fn; s g. Sa! odhy% >w. Bk dgha dk! • 2 Aug 2009 D; k vki dks yxrk g. S fd dkexkjksa dksb. Z pk. Ul g. S LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 42

Difficulties in forming and running unions ; wfu; u cukus esa vk. Sj pykus esa eqf’dysa • It is necessary to unionise the workers in the garment industry in order to improve their conditions. • As they do not have permanent jobs, it is very difficult to have a permanent union • Maaliks strongly oppose the formation of unions • If workers manage to form a union, they go all out to try to break it. § xkjesa. V m|ksx ds et+nwjksa dh gkykr lq/kkjus ds fy; s , drk vk. Sj ; wfu; u dh l[r t+: jr g. SA § QWDVjh esa lgh ek; us ls dke djusokyh Ekt+nwjksadh LFkk; h ; wfu; u cukuk] iek. Zusa. V uk. Sdjh u gksus ds dkj. k cgqr gh eqf’dy dke g. SA § ; wfu; u cukus dks ekfyd dh vksj ls cgqr T+; knk fojks/k gksrk g. SA 2 Aug 2009 43 § vxj et+nwj f. Qj Hkh. LRS, KEC TISS Symposium g. Sa] rks ; wfu; u cuk nsrs rks. M+us dh dksf’k’ks ’kq: gks tkrh g. Sa. A

For breaking the union - 1 ; wfu; u rks. Mus ds fy; s & 1 • Giving lucrative posts or supervisory positions to members of the Union Committee • Trying to buy off union leaders themselves • Use of goons • Filing false with the help of the police to frighten workers into accepting less compensation and throwing them out § et+nwj des. Vh ds dq. N esacl. Z dks lqijokb. Zt+j ; k nwljk v. PNk in nsuk § ; wfu; u yh. Mj dks gh [kjhnus dh dksf'k'k djuk § xq. Mskadk b. Lrseky djuk § iqfyl ds lgkjs >q. Vs dsl nk; j djds] 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium et+nwjksaes Mj i. Snk djds de ls de 44

For breaking the union - 2 ; wfu; u rks. Mus ds fy; s & 2 • Some maaliks throw out the workers as soon as the union is formed and recruit new workers in their place. • Or they shift the factory to another location. • Or they change the name of the company. § db. Z ekfyd ; wfu; u cukrs gh et+nwjksa dks fudkyrs g. Sa vk. Sj mudh txg ij u; s et+nwjksa dh Hkjrh djrs g. Sa. A § ; k f. Qj QWDVjh nwljh txg ys tkrs g. Sa. A § ; k d. Eiuh dk uke cnyrs g. Sa. A 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 45

The Danger of Chamcha Unions pepk ; wfu; uksa dk [krjk • It is unfortunate that there are unions which are hand in glove with the maalik. Workers have to watch out for them! § nq. Hkk. ZX; dh ckr g. S fd , slh ; wfu; u g. Sa tks ekfydksa ds tsc esa g. Sa. A dkexkjksa dks muls lko/kku jgus dh t+: jr g. SA 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 46

The role of the state / government jk. T; @ ljdkj dk jo. S; k • The state or government never come forward to protect the rights and livelihood of the workers. • They invariably protect the interests of the maaliks. • They try to prevent the workers from organising and try to keep them deprived of their legal rights. § jk. T; ; k ljdkj d. Hkh et+nwjksa dh j{kk djus r. Fkk muds jkst+h jks. Vh ds g. Dd vk. Sj lqj{kk ds fy; s vkxs ugha vkrs. A § os ekfyd ox. Z ds fgrkas dh gh j{kk djrs g. Sa. A § Ekt+nwjksa dks laxf. Br gksus ls vk. Sj mudsk dkuwuh vf/kdkjksa ls oafpr j[kus 47 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium dh dksf’k’k djrs g. Sa. A

How does our union – Ladaku Garment Mazdoor Sangh - work? gekjh ; wfu; u & y. M+kdw xkjesa. V et+nwj la? k & d. Sls dke djrh g. S 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 48

When a new unit joins our Union … tc u; k ; wfu. V gekjh ; wfu; u esa vkrk g. S -We find out all the details about the factory and the company: • • • When the factory was established How many units the company has How many workers it employs What it pays them, etc. How much profit it makes. All the laws that the maalik has been violating. ge QWDVhjh vk. Sj d. Eiuh dh lkjh tkudkjh gkfly djrs g. Sa & § QWDVhjh dh LFkkiuk dc gqb. Z § d. Eiuh ds fdrus ; wfu. V g. Sa § ml esa fdrus dkexkj g. Sa § d. Eiuh fdruk osru] b- nsrh g. S § Ekkfyd dk. Suls lkjs dkuwuksa dk m. Yya? ku dj jgk g. S 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 49

Creating proof of employment uk. Sdjh dk Áw. Q cukuk Essential first step which must be done in secret We tell the workers to: • Have photos taken with the manager • Tell their friends and relatives to send them letters at the factory address • Open bank accounts on the company address • Take out Xerox copies of vouchers, chalans, letters – anything that they manage to get. ; g , d vko’; d igyk dne g. S] ftldks xq. Ir rjhds ls m. Bkuk csgn t+: jh g. SA ge dkexkjksa dks ; g lc djus dks dgrs g. S & § e. Wustj ds lk. Fk [kqn dk Qks. Vks f[kapok yks § vius ifjtuksa dks vk. Sj nks. Lrksa dks QWDVjh ds irs ij rq. Egsa [kr fy[kus dks cksyks § d. Eiuh ds irs ij c¡d , dkma. V [kksyks § vyx Ogkmpj] pyku] i= & tks Hkh feyrk g. S mlds >sjk. Dl fudky ds vius ikl j[kks 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 50

On a parallel track … mlds lk. Fk Lkk. Fk & 2 • Then we ask them to send their report to us. • The maalik is given a memo, issued a show cause notice and a criminal case is lodged against him. • At this stage most maaliks agree to pay, because if they plead guilty, the fine is less. § f. Qj ge m. Ugsa gesa fjiks. VZ Hkstus dks dgrs g. Sa. A § blds ckn ekfyd dks eseks vk. Sj ’kks dk. WT+k uksf. Vl nh tkrh g. S vk. Sj mlds f[kyk. Q+ Qk. St+nkjh dsl cuk; h tkrh g. SA § bl eqdke ij T+; knkrj ekfyd i. Slk ns nsrs g. S D; wa fd xqugxkjh nyhy dk rks t+qek. Zuk de gksrk g. SA 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 52

Over and above all this … • d. Hkh blds vkxs Hkh tkuk i. M+rk g. S --Many times we also go in full strength to the factory, and organize demonstrations outside the maalik’s home. • This is very effective, because it becomes a question of his izzat. • We take along workers from other units as well to build up their solidarity and morale. § cgqr ckj ge iwjh rkdr ls QWDVjh ds lkeus vk. Sj ekfyd ds ? kj ds lkeus Hkh fun’k. Zu djrs g. Sa. A § ; g cgqr vljean gksrk g. S D; wa fd bl ls ekfyd ds b. T+t+r dk loky curk g. SA § ge et+nwjksa dh , drk vk. Sj eukscy c<+kus ds fy, vk. Sj ; wfu. Vksa ds dkexkjksa dks Hkh bl esa ’kkfey djkrs g. Sa. A 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 53

How we deal with dishonest and corrupt officers ge csbeku vk. Sj Hkz"V v. Q+ljksa ds lk. Fk , slk djrs g. Sa -- • • Some of them try to pull a fast one: – “How can we go and do as you say? The maalik will not let us. ” We tell them that they have a right to carry out inspections, and that they can take the police with them if necessary. We chase slippery officers them till they fall in line. We always go to meet them with many workers. § bu esa ls db. Z gesa cq)w cukus dh dksf’k’k djrs g. Sa & **ge vki ds dgus ds eqrkfcd d. Sls dj ldrs g. Sa ekfyd gesa djus ugha nsxk. A** § ge m. Ugs crkrs g. Sa fd m. Ugsa takp djus dk vf/kdkj g. S vk. Sj vxj os pkgrs g. Sa rks iqfyl dks lk. Fk ys ldrs g. Sa. A § tc rd gekjk dguk os ekurs ugha] rc rd ge v. Q+ljksa ds ih. Ns yxs jgrss g. Sa. A § ge muls feyus ds fy, ges’kk cgqr lkjs od. Zjksa dks ys tkrs g. Sa. A 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 54

How we deal with dishonest and corrupt officers (2) ge csbeku vk. Sj Hkz"V v. Q+ljksa ds lk. Fk , slk djrs g. Sa -- • Sometimes we tell an officer clearly that if he doesn’t follow the procedure then we would lodge an official complaint. • If we hold a demonstration against a particular officer, it does not look so good on his record and affects his chances. That is why they fall in line. • We have even held demonstrations outside the Labour Commissioner’s Office. So we have won a reputation and people do not trifle with us. § ge d. Hkh mudks lh/kk crkrs g. Sa fd vxj mlus mfpr ÁfØ; k dk ikyu ugha fd; k rks ge vf/kÑr f’kdk; r nt+Z djsaxs. A § vxj fdlh fof’k"V v. Q+lj ds f[kyk. Q+ fun’k. Zu gksrk g. S rks og mlds jsdk. MZ ij v. PNk ugha fn[krk vk. Sj mlls mudks uqdlku gksrk g. SA blhfy, os ckr ekurs g. Sa. A § geus ; gak rd fd Je vk; q. Rd ds vkf. Ql ds lkeus fun’k. Zu fd; s g. Sa. A gekjh [; kfr cu x; h g. SA blhfy, yksx gekjs lk. Fk [ksy 2 Aug 2009 [ksyrs. A LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 55 ugha §

Types of educational activities vyx Ádkj ds ’k. S{kf. kd miØe • About their rights won by previous generations after bitter struggles and which are now under severe attack • How to fight for them • Teach them about the strength of unity: “An attack on one is an attack on all!” • Practical lessons about the above: the importance of joint demonstrations against the maalik § gekjs cqt+qxks. Za us d. M+s la? k"kks. Za ds ckn tks vf/kdkj thrs g. Sa vk. Sj ftuds Åij vc c. M+s geysa gks jgs g. Sa] blds ckjs esa. A § muds fy, d. Sls y. M+uk pkfg, A § m. Ugsa , drk dk eg. Ro le>kuk & , d ds Åij geyk ; kfu lc ds Åij geyk. A § mlhds ckjs esa ÁWf. DVdy f’k{kk & ekfyd ds 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 56 f[kyk. Q+ la; q. Dr fun’k. Zu dk eg. Ro

Developing a new vision , d u; k ut+fj; k fodflr djuk • • Teaching them about their worth and the worth of the working class. Workshops and discussions on various issues – economic, political, etc. • The vision of our members has to be broadened: Should we workers spend all our lives fighting for crumbs? Can’t we aspire for and work for a society where those who work will be the masters? § muds vk. Sj lewps et+nwj ox. Z ds eg. Ro ds ckjs esa m. Ugsa , glkl fnykuk § vkf. Fk. Zd] jktuhfrd] b- fofo/k fo"k; ksa ds Åij dk; Z’kkyk, pykuk § gekjs l. Hkklnksa dk ut+fj; ak fodflr djus dh t+: jr g. S ge dkexkjksa us iwjh ft+anxh nks pkj dk. Sf. M; ksa ds fy, y. M+us esa fcrkuh pkfg, D; k ge , sls lekt ds fy, ugha y. M+ ldrs] ftlds ge ekfyd gksa 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 57

Thank You! /k. U; okn! 2 Aug 2009 LRS, KEC TISS Symposium 58