Features: Magazine | Literary Review | Life | Metro Plus | Open Page | Education Plus | Book Review | Business | SciTech | Entertainment | Young World | Property Plus | Quest | Folio |

In service of womenfolk

Illiteracy, combined with the shy nature, is the root cause of the exploitation of women

LEADING FROM THE FRONT D. Shaleel

"Every trade union organisation should have a woman holding a key position to understand the grievances of women employees, especially in a country like ours where the fair sex is more comfortable in the company of the other," avers Divisional Coordinator of East Coast Railway Shramik Union (ECoRSU) D. Shaleel.

Stating that she was not against men listening to the woes of a woman but being somebody from that segment, she says: "I understand that they pour out more openly to a woman only, especially the ones from the lower strata."

Born and brought up in Vizianagaram, Shaleel joined the Indian Railways as a junior clerk in 1970. Soon after she lost her husband in a tragic train accident. "That was the most difficult phase of my life. My husband, a Railman, died within five months of our marriage and at that time I was six weeks pregnant. The Railways immediately gave me a job at the Railway

Hospital here, but I could join only after the birth of my son."

Though Shaleel took up union activities a decade later she was always ready to help the women in her department. "Illiteracy, combined with the shy nature, is the root cause of the exploitation of women. From the very beginning I made it a point to help such women. By my experience, I understood the problems faced by other widows, especially the ones who were uneducated. I not only motivated them and did all the paper work for them. If required, I used to accompany them to the higher-ups to see that the women got their due."

Entry into union

Seeing her enthusiasm and leadership qualities, current general secretary of EcoRSU Ch. Gandhi persuaded her to join the union. She joined as the assistant general secretary of South Eastern Railway Men's Union (as it was known then) and climbed up the ladder to become its Divisional Coordinator. She also holds the post of office superintendent (Grade-I).

"My initial grooming was under Mr. Gandhi and the then vice- President of All-India Railwaymen's Federation J.M. Biswas. Till date I owe a lot to these two unionists."

Focus on women welfare

From day one after taking up the union activities her focus has been on the welfare of women employees. Apart from being instrumental in ensuring basic amenities like bathrooms, change rooms and creches for children of women employees at the work spot, Shaleel took many cases of sexual harassment and saw that they got due justice. "As women are assigned jobs even on shop floors of factories these days, I personally see that the basic amenities are provided to them and that they are not assigned any heavy or hazardous tasks. Moreover, immediately after joining the union movement I went on a personal campaign to see that all the women in our division join some union for their own benefit. I sincerely believe that what cannot be achieved single-handedly can be achieved collectively."

Services recognised

Recognising her services, the Hind Mazdoor Sabha appointed her as its national women committee chairman in 1996. During this period she had the opportunity to visit a number of countries like Sri Lanka, Nepal, Singapore, Bangladesh, Bangkok, Philippines, New Zealand and Japan as member of various delegations."Apart from touring various countries and learning quite a few things I have had an opportunity to work both for the organised and unorganised sector. Till date I feel that there is lot to be done in the unorganised sector."

Shaleel was also elected as the vice-president of the International Confederation of Free Trade Union - Asia Pacific Region in 1999, and she continues to hold that post.

Currently, she is busy working out the details with her union members to fight for the implementation of the sixth pay commission and for the filling up of vacancies of essential posts.

SUMIT BHATTACHARJEE

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail