Empowerment of Women at Workplace – Thozhi Project

Background
We have been implementing the project “Empowerment of Women at Workplace (Thozhi)” since 2015 with the support of DKA-KFB. This programme has been implemented in association of the local partner DEEPS, Dharmapuri. We have been interacting with the women and adolescent workers at their workplace as well as at their residence in order to understand and address their problems. This year the project is reaching out the working women through networking with NGOs in 5 districts of Tamil Nadu. In each district, 10 NGOs has been selected. Three lead NGOs are facilitating other nine NGOs in each district. CEEMA is coordinating with NGOs in this regard.

Project areas
Our project areas include Erode, Tirupur, Karur, Salem and Namakkal Districts.

Activities:    THOZHI – “Empower Women at Work Place” 2018:

CORE WORKERS/CATALYST TRAINING AT DISTRICT LEVEL –IN 5 DISTRICT (TIRUPPUR, ERODE, KARUR, NAMAKKAL& SALEM)

Core workers training at district level (conducted at 5 districts) in the month of July, 18  on several dates according to the convience were conducted.  All the district leading  NGOs gathered around 30 women workers and atleast 2 or 3 NGO representatives took part in the training programe and discussed the issues they face in their working place.

They came up with following issues:

  • More work and Low wages, No proper toilet facilities, No PF/ESI facility,
  • No safe/ no mask or cluase, Skin problem, No drinking water,
  • Sexual abuse, Child labor and Health issues.

Outcome for the Activities Total participants (women workers) – 158 Participants (NGO representatives) –12  By identifying these they came to understanding of the prevailing situation in their working area and decided to form as a group to reach the solution.

WORKER TRAINING AT NGO LEVEL (30 WORKERS) 50 NGOS IN 5 DISTRICTS

NGO level core workers training was conducted at West region districts. 26 NGOs conducted training for the women workers at NGO level.  During the training session the participants were given inputs on Thozhi network and the issues of the working women were discussed. Group work was given to analysis the issues and solutions for it. We provided training materials to the participants. Learned resource persons took classes. Discussion followed with clarifications of doubts.Outcome of this program:

A working women Federation was created by district level NGOs. The participants assured that they would form a Federation and fight for their rights.  Around 855working women were given awareness on their rights.  The participants were very cooperative and active. They were interacting freely and asked many question about the rights. They were happy to join withThozhi network and expressed their willingness to form Thozhiwomen workers sangam to fight for their rights.

FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION IN 5 DISTRICTS:

The Focus Group Discussion was conducted  in 5 districts in the month of August, 2018. About 75 women workers and NGO heads participated  which identified 43  meaningful case studies based on problems. These case studies were useful in understanding the gravity of problems faced by women at workplace.  The participants were very cooperative and active. Identified many problems faced by women at workplace. Most of the women are not getting minimum wages form their company. Many women face sexual harassment problems in their company from higher officials. We are trying to address these issues through legal channels.

DISTRICT LEVEL PLANNING MEETING WITH NGO PARTNERSIN 5 DISTRICTS (TIRUPPUR, ERODE, KARUR, NAMAKKAL & SALEM)

                                                      October -2018 

  • Purpose of the meeting is that Regional Coordinator, THOZHI participated and explained about the method to conduct the media sensitization program. The main objective of the meeting is to develop and create good rapport between the NGOs and the women workers from various sectors like Silver Smith, Flower Picking, Bricks Industry, (Salem Area) and Poultry industries, Sago Factory and Bricks industry,(Namakkal) and Garments, Spinning mills, Construction workers, Stone workers (Karur, Tiruppur, Erode).  The participants discussed about various issues faced by women workers in five districts. Based on the case studies already collected, Regional Coordinator gave instructions about program procedures. Collective decisions were taken on the dynamics of media sensitization programs. Dates for such programs in each district were decided.

DISTRICT LEVEL CONSULTATION WITH MULTIPLE STAKEHOLDERS ON WOMEN AT WORKPLACE IN 5 DISTRICTS.   

Rev.Fr.Pushpanathan, Ceema, Director, S.Vanaja, Anaithu India Madhar Sangam, M.Jayadeepa, Advocate, ( Tirupur), M.Rangasamy, Asst Inspector of Labor,      ( Salem),  Mrs.Krishnaveni, Asst Commissioner of Labor, Mr. Ganesan, DCPU, Mr.Jeevanandham, CITU, (Karur), Mr.Bhaskar, Assistant Inspector of Labor, Mrs.R.Gomathi, All India MadharSangam, Mr.C.Selvakumar, Former member of Child Rights Commission and TamilNadu Rural Labor Movement, Mr.Pavineskarnan Advocate, Mr.K.R.Thangaraj INTUC (Erode)  Mrs.B.Rani, AIDWA,  Mr.Kanagaraj, CITU, (Namakkal)  took part and expressed their views. Number of Media Personnels were made their presence by taking note of the expriences expressed by the women workers and Dignitaries to print in the newspapers. The necessity of legal awareness and safe and secure work places to the workers were assured by the advocates.

  • Around 200 working women were given awareness on their rights. The media became more aware on this issue. Consequently, these issues were highlighted in newspapers. Information about Thozhi networks in 5 districts got publicized.

 

DISTRICT LEVEL MASS CAMPAIGNS (RALLY & PROTEST) IN 5 DISTRICTS

 

On behalf of Thozhi-Erode “Empower women at work place” that the District Mass Level Rally was organized in Erode on 12.12.2018 started from Collector office, Erode, flagged by  Mrs. R.Ambika District Social Welfare Officer, Erode, in the presence of Fr.Pushpanathan, Director, CEEMA, Mr.Sankar, Thozhi – State Convener, Mr.M.Nallaiyan Pandi, Thozhi – Coordinator, T Mr.C.Selvakumar, Former member of Child Rights Commission and TamilNadu Rural Labor Movement, Mrs.Santha, Assistant Program Officer, MahalirThittam,

Erode and Partner NGOs. Media personnel and totally 170 women workers  participated in this program.  Women workers raised slogan with banner. Importantly public people are observed our rally program. Arranged the badge and cap for women workers. Handout notice also issued among the people.  Mr.Sankar, Thozhi – State convener, who addressed the meeting underlined the need for protecting the rights of the working class. Special address by Mr.Selvakumar, TRLMCTU, State General Secretary, he talk about the labor laws and its benefits. After that press meet was arranged to give the demands and requirements to the government through media.

Thozhi-Salem, on 20th December 2018, has been organized the protest in front of district collector office in the presence of Thozhar Valaentina, state president AIDWA, Thozhar. Rajathi, District vice president from AIDWA, Ms.Gnanasoundari, Thozhar. Jayalakshimi. Mr.Kulanthaivelu from Theendamaiolippumunnani and many more from various trade unions and about 250 working women participated in the protest and raised the voice on the favor of working women. Thozhi Salem district convener Mrs. V.Alamelu explained the aims and objectives of the protest.

The main demands urged in the protest are

  • To ensure the minimum wages for women workers,
  • To establish internal complaint committee for women workers,
  • To ensure safe and secure work environment for women workers and
  • To establish separate ministry for women workers.

Also to ensure for the worker, benefits of PF, ESI and Insurance schemes. The protesters demanded compensation for the recent death of AtturRajalakshimi, HosurSwathi and Nithish, DaharmapuriSawmiya cases.  After that press meet was arranged to publish the demands and requirements to the government through media.

District Level Mass protest was organized in Karur on 22.12.2018 at Taluk office, Karur, in the presence of  Mr.Shankar, Thozhi- state Convener, Mrs. R. Vanaja, AIDWA, State wing, Mr.M.NallaiyanPandi, Thozhi- Regional Coordinator, CEEMA, Erode,  Mrs. P.Chithra, Thozhi – District Facilitator, Karur, Mrs.Selvarani, Government Employees’ association, Karur, Mrs.santhi, District Secretery, Anganwadi workers union, Karur, Mr.Karikaalan, District Secretary, Dalit Development  Assocaiation, Karur, and  Media personnel and totally 120 women workers  participated in this program.

Women workers  from Textiles, Garment, Construction field raised slogan with banner for the implementation of labor acts and separate ministry for unorganize  women workers of TamilNadu. Printed materials were distributed to the public.At the end of the program Mr. M.Nallaiyanpandi, Thozhi – Regional Coordinator gave vote of thanks. After the program evaluation about the meeting took place.  The district level mass protest was successfully completed.

In Tiruppur, Mass Protest  has been conducted on 27.12.2018, nearby Municipal office, Tiruppur, in the presence of chief guest Mrs. Rajatthi, Team Women Development Association, Tiruppur, Mr.Sahadhevan, Advocate Mr.M.NallaiyanPandi, Thozhi – Regional Coordinator, Media personnel and totally 130 women workers participated in this protest.

The protesters demanded for better working conditions and implementation of the labor acts in the industries across TamilNadu.  Mr.M.Nallaiyanpandi, Thozhi – Regional Coordinator underlined the need for protest. In the special address by Mr.Sahadhevan, Advocate, insisted on  the labor laws and its benefits.  Through this protest many come to know about ‘Thozhi’  and Its functions.  After that press meet was arranged . The progrme came to a fruitful end.

On behalf of Thozhi-Erode “Empower women at work place” , the District Mass Level Protest was organized in Namakkal on 28.12.2018 at Rasipuram Bus stand, Namakkal, led by Mrs. Rani, District Secretary, AIDWA, Namakkal and Mr.M.Nallaiyanpandi, Thozhi – Regional Coordinator, C.Kannan, District Secretary, AdhiTamilarPeravai, Namakkal. Mr. R.Ganesan, Secretary, AdhithamilarMakkalKatchi, Rasipuram, Mrs. Alamelu, Thozhi Salem, Mr.Kuppan, Thozhi, District Facilitating partner, Namakkaland Media personnel and totally 140 women workers participated in this program.

Women workers raised slogans, especially Sago mil workers, poultry workers raised  their voice against problems they face in the field.  Printed notice also issued to the people.  Special address by Mr.Kannan, District Secretary, AdhiTamilarPeravai, about women workers problems and solutions. The participants were very cooperative and active.  After that press meet was arranged where purpose of the protest was elaborated briefly. The district mass level campaign was successfully finished.

 

RESULT ANALYSIS/PROGRESS ANALYSIS:

Discuss project result/outcome and analyze how it is beneficial to the project beneficiaries and the changes brought among the community:

  • Our activities through rallies and media sensitization have been instrumental in making great deal of awareness among the public as well as on the stakeholders.
  • The women at workplace are more confident in airing their grievances and issues to the management and to the public. They feel that they are being supported by a group of concerned persons.
  • The women gained power to demand their rights.
  • Advocacy and linkages with government departments promoted more concerned approach from the government which will result in positive administrative decisions.
  • Women workers are aware about their rights and labor laws.
  • All the activities reached with the community and the government.
  • Many women workers depose their problems through media during our consultation program and campaign.
  • The general public and the government have become aware of “Thozhi” activities.
  • The campaign program was very powerful to create awareness and sensitize about the women workers problems among other people and government.
  • We also reached our activities to government officials in the entire district (West Region).

CRITICALLY REVIEW PROJECT ACHIEVING ITS OBJECTIVES:

  • Despite stray difficulties, the project could achieve its declared objectives.
  • An overall awareness on the issues of women at workplace was achieved among all stakeholders.
  • Networking with government departments as well as NGOs was contributed in harnessing the bargaining power to the women at workplace.
  • In future we make a good quality of women leader through our federation.
  • We should create debate among the society, about women workers problems with social media, media, Public and government.

LESSONS LEARNT:

Problems and difficulties faced during project implementation and how it was overcome:

  • It was really a tough time to coordinate all the 50 NGOs under us. In fact, these NGOs do not have any monetary benefits by doing these programs. Hence, at times their interest was at low level. But we could persuade them to be active in our network.
  • The leading NGOs request for some financial support through this project.

Major lessons learnt by project team and by organization:

  • We have become more proficient in NGO networking. And we learned the strength of NGOs at different levels.
  • Networking with government departments was an eye opener and we had learned how the government system works.
  • Public and media will support when issues are brought to their notice.

 ‘Thozhi’ – Programe   –  2019

‘Thozhi’ – State Level Review Meeting:

Thozhi – state level review meeting was conducted on 24th and 25th January 2019. Mr.Elango (country coordinator, KFB-Austria), Mr.Sankar (state facilitator, DEEPS, Dharmapuri), Fr. S. Pushpanathan (director, CEEMA), Mr.Pathimaraj (director, SHED INDIA, Tanjur)and regional coordinators and district facilitating NGOs had participated in this re

  • First day of review was with the partner NGOs heads. It was reported that all activities such as core workers training, consultation with multiple stakeholders and campaign (rally and protest) were organized successfully.
  • Second day of review was with the district facilitating NGOs. They shared their experiences and challengesin conducting the program. The regional coordinators made power point presentations about their implemented activities. The participants had also discussed about 2019 project intervention strategies, activities and budget.

THOZHI – “Empower Women at Work Place” 2018:

Thozhi – We had conducted District Level Meeting with NGO partner in Salem, Tiruppur and Namakkal on 16th, 20th, and 21-02-2019. Totally 28 NGO heads and other stakeholders participated in this meeting. Partners shared their learnings and experience in Thozhi.  We planned to create awareness among the women workers about labour laws and rights of the labourers in their working place. To motivate women workers to get Identity card form the labour department. And we planned to make women workers federations for the women development.

NGO ORIENTATION ON BUILDING SUPPORT GROUPS – 2019

Thozhi – We had conducted NGO orientation on building support groups in Salem, Tiruppur and Namakkal,Karur and Erode on 20.03.2019 at CEEMA community hall. Totally 26 NGO heads  participated in this meeting. Partners shared their learning and experience in Thozhi.  We planned to create awareness among the women workers about labour laws and rights of the labourers in their working place. Mrs. Jeyalakshmi, District Joint President AIDWA, Mr.Thangaraj, District president, INTUC were the chief guests and they had spoken on rights of women at working place. West region (Erode, Salem, Karur, Tiruppur,Namakkal) NGOs heads participated in this program. Mr.Sankar,State Facilitator  gave orientation on this year (2019) program activities. Collected project impacts and feedback from the NGO heads.

Election Campaign-2019

CEEMA had conducted Parliament Election Campaign-2019 at five districts. The Campaign was organised by CEEMA and district facilitating  NGOs in Erode, Karur, Salem, Tirupur and Namakkal.  According to the plan, we met all district candidates. We demand that the government should constitute a dseparate ministry for women workers and implement all loabour laws in Tamil Nadu and wanted a protective environment for the women workers. Women workers should be protected from sexual harassment. Along witht our NGO partners, CEEMA coordinator met Mr.M.K.Stalin,leader of DMK part in Erode and  Karur MP Candidate Mrs. Jeyanthi in Karur to submit election menifesto petition.

District level core workers training

CEEMA had conducted NGO level core workers training at five districts. The training was organised by CEEMA and district facilitating NGOs in Erode, Karur, Salem, Tirupur, and Namakkal.    There were a totally 30 Ngo partners and 945 women workers had participated.

The training consisted of discussion about the problems faced by women at work place and also discussed the steps to solve the problem. Importantly they were made known of the rights of labor law at their working place. We explained about the labor welfare schemes for women workers in the labour department. Explained how to get labour identity card from labour department.

Thozhi state-level review meeting

  • We have conducted NGO level core workers training in five districts. The trainings were organised by CEEMA and district facilitating NGOs in Erode, Karur, Salem, Tirupur, and Namakkal.    Thirty NGO partners and about 1000 women workers have participated.
  • Thozhi state-level review meeting was held on 14.06.2019 in Salem. Our coordinator attended the meeting and visited Silver Smith industries. In this meeting, Mr.Elango (country officer, Mr.Sankar (state convener), and NGO partners have participated.  During the review meeting,CEEMA coordinator presented report from January to June. The project team discussed program activities and its challenges along with future plans.

District-level consultation on women at workplace with multiple stakeholders

District-level consultation on women at workplace with multiple stakeholders was organized at CEEMA on 28.10.2019and on 27.09.2019 at SAP Residency, Tirupur.Fr.Pushpanathan (director, CEEMA), Mr.Bhaskar(assistant inspector of labour), Mrs.B.S. Prasanna(All India MadharSangam), Mr.C.Selvakumar(former member of Child Rights Commission and TamilNadu Rural Labour Movement),Mr.Subramanian (CITU), Mr.Sankar (Thozhi-State Convener), media persons, and other stakeholders attended this program.

The Consultation demanded the following:

  • A separate ministry for women workers at the Centre and the State to look into their problems.
  • Enact stringent laws to ensure protection of women at workplace.
  • Withdrawal the new Labour bill, 2019 that merges the existing 44 labour laws under four categories.
  • Enact a new law to prevent honour killings as women are the most affected

District-level consultation on women at workplace with multiple stakeholders

District-level consultationson women at workplace with multiple stakeholders were organized at CEEMA on 11.11.2019, at RWDT Office, Dharamangalam, and MGENM Trust, Rasipuram, Namakkal, and Salemon 19.11.2019.Leaders from CITU, AICTU, AIDWA, women federations, advocates, officials from Social Welfare Department and Labour Department, media persons, M. NallaiyanPandi (regional coordinator, Thozhi), Mr.Sankar (State Convener, Thozhi-), and other stakeholders attended this program.

The Consultation demanded the following:

A separate ministry for women workers at the Center and the State to look into their problems.

Enact stringent laws to ensure protection of women at workplace.Withdrawal the new Labour Bill, 2019 that merges the existing 44 labour laws under four categories.

District level consultation meeting with NGO members

  • We had conducted district level consultation meeting with NGO members in Selam, Karur, Namakkal.
  • Totally 25 NGO members participated.
  • We had planned for next year program strategy and got feedback, expriences & learnings from NGO members.
  • We planned to conduct research study on women worker problem and working environment contention.
  • We had planned to file a right to information act petition about women worker registration detail band ESI, PF.

Submitted Memorandam to DMK Manifesto Draft Committee :

  • DMK leaders, Particularly Mr.T.R. Balu MP, Mr. Tiruchy Siva MP, Mr. Selvaraj, MP, T.K.S. Elangovan MP and Mrs. Subbulakshmi Jegatheesan, Former Minister meet public, activists, entrepreneurs, persons from various walks of life and party cadre to draft their election manifesto for 2021 Assembly election in Erode on 04.11.2020. Mr.NallaiyanPandi (regional coordinator, Thozhi) attended and demanded for a separate ministry for unorganized women workers in the State and also demanded the following.
  • Implementation of Minimum Wages Act.
  • Should not allow central government to implement new labour law, 2020.
  • Should include Human Rights and sexual education in curriculum and teach in all schools and colleges in Tamil Nadu.
  • Pass a separate law against honour killing.
  • Should announce Master of Social Work Degree course as professional course.

Submitted Memorandum to Tamilnadu Legislative Assembly Election Candidate ;

Handed over the Thozhi – Women Workers Collective‘s Women workers Election manifesto to the Erode West Legislative Assembly Diravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) candidate Mr.Muthusamy  and  Erode East Legislative Assembly National Congress candidate Mr.EVR.Thirumagan in Erode District.

  • Submitted report on Burning Issues of Women Workers’ Reproductive Health and RTI report for Status of Labor Legislation in Erode.
  • Discussed about the unorganized women workers situation in Tamilnadu.
  • Insisted the request of women workers to constitute separate ministry for women workers.
  • Shared about the “Thozhi Women Workers Collective – Tamilnadu” and request him to share this  in his electoral campaign.
  • They assured to constitute Employees State Insurance Corporation (ESI – Hospitals) for Erode district workers.
  • They assured  to  strengthen and Monitoring the Internal Complaints Committee in Industries for women workers welfare in Erode district.
  • The government should impose minimum wages act.