The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Garment workers told to fight for their cause

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Nov 27, 2006
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Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Garment workers told to fight for their cause

Staff Reporter

SOUND ADVICE: Advocate Hemalatha Mahishi (right) talking to garment workers at the second anniversary of Garment Mahila Karmikara Munnade in Bangalore on Sunday. — Photo: G.P. Sampath Kumar

Bangalore: Hemalatha Mahishi, advocate, said here on Sunday that the international community should be made aware of the problems of women workers in garment industry and motivate it to take up their cause so that there would be pressure to have better labour standards in the industry.

Speaking at the second anniversary celebrations of Garment Mahila Karmikara Munnade here, Ms. Hemalatha said, "Your work is significant internationally because the products that you make are used by people worldwide. The international community should know about the exploitation of women workers so that some positive action may be taken."

She said garment workers should not allow the industry to exploit them.

"You should be aware of your rights. No one can take away your right to unionise," Ms. Hemalatha added. Donna Fernandes of Vimochana Forum for Women's Rights, said that women workers should organise themselves so that they could collectively voice their grievances.

Referring to the Supreme Court's warning to women against filing false cases, Ms. Donna Fernandes said that most women who filed harassment complaints were genuinely distressed. Women had to be ready to face criticism for coming out against harassment and violence. "You have to come together so that you can have a collective voice," she said. She urged the representatives of munnade to bring more women workers into their organisation.

Sebastian Devaraj, activist, was present. Elections to the executive committee of munnade were held on the occasion. Munnade was set up in 2004 amidst resistance from the garment industry against unionisation of workers.

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