SEWA - Organising

Construction Workers

SEWA has been organising workers in the dyeing, chemical and screen-printing industry for many years now. However, in recent years major changes have occurred in this industry due to rapid mechanization. Women workers have lost work with the installation of machines, and have instead found employment as construction workers. SEWA is now actively organising these women. There are more than 3,00,000 workers in the construction industry in Gujarat. In August 1999, 2000 construction workers gathered at a sammelan to press for a law and other rights. Shree Bhaskaran, Joint Secretary of Labour, Govt. of India, was the Chief Guest. Workers discussed the need for state law on the lines of the existing national law. The workers submitted the memorandum to Mr. Bhaskaran, including the following demands.

A law protecting construction workers should be passed, on the lines of the National Law. The tripartite board should be established to develope and implement social security services. Accident insurance Scheme to be developed by the Government. Child care should be made available through creches. Skill upgradation training should be organised by the government to enhance women's incomes. Equipment and work tools should be provided to workers.

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