The Fight for Unions in India

 India's multi-billion dollar textile and garment industry employs some 45 million workers, mostly women. Campaigners say many of these women are underpaid, some work 14-hours shifts, and some face verbal and sexual harassment. The fashion industry has come under pressure to improve conditions and workers' rights.

A growing number of workers in the south Indian garment hub have been suspended or dismissed within days of joining unions or attending events primarily to demand the implementation of revised minimum wages, campaigners and union leaders said. A landmark 2016 court ruling declared that garment workers should receive a pay rise of up to 30 percent and that they could claim arrears going back to 2014.

"We have increasing number of workers coming to our office and saying they were forced to sign resignation letters, but in fact, need the job to support their families," said Sujata Mody, of Penn Thozhilalargal Sangam, a women workers' union. "Women are suddenly finding themselves unemployed for taking leave to care for a sick family member or if they are found talking to a union member and sometimes even if they happen to have a pamphlet that talks about their rights."

The International Labour Organization (ILO) which found grievance redressal mechanisms in India's garment industry were "virtually absent" in factories. It said garment workers in Chennai who raised issues were "isolated" and kept under the watch of human resource officials. The ILO says freedom of association is a "human right" and encourages companies not to discriminate against workers joining or forming unions.

Campaigners say factories are resistant towards workers joining external unions. Like most factories, Celebrity Fashion does not recognise the Garment and Fashion Workers Union (GAFWU), which Murugesan has joined.

http://news.trust.org/item/20180201010040-b95er/