Recognition of Unorganised Sector Workers
The
struggle for recognition of unorganised sector workers gained
momentum with the formation of the National Centre for Labour
(NCL) in 1995. Six lakh workers are members of NCL. The campaign
was strengthened by WIEGO of which SEWA is an active member.
More research and statistics on the actual numbers of workers
in this sector and their significant economic contribution has
led to greater visibility of these workers, and has been a boost
to their organising efforts.
One
key issue in the campaign has been that of the government providing
identity cards to workers of the unorganised sector. This has
been their key demand as it establishes their worker status
and also makes them visible to the world at large. This year
several trade groups of our members obtained identity cards.:
In
1999, an important breakthrough was made when SEWA and WIEGO
were invited to a special discussion at the ILO on the unorganised
sector and trade unions.
The campaign
has generated several studies in collaboration with the National
Council of Applied Economic Research (NCAER) and with the Gujarat
institute of Development Research (GIDR). These have helped
to build a better understanding of the enormous economic contribution
of this sector and its growing size and importance. It has also
led to visibility of the workers and recognition of how economically
active they are.
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