A section of women working in garment units in Madurai and nearby districts has come up with a charter of demands to all the political parties.

The key demands focussed on ensuring a minimum monthly pay of ₹18,000, better work atmosphere and dignity at workplace, and safeguards against sexual harassment. S. Selva Gomathi, managing trustee, Justice Shivaraj V. Patil Foundation for Socio-Legal Studies and Development, which is coordinating the workers, said that the memorandum would be submitted to candidates of all political parties in Madurai and nearby constituencies.

In the memorandum, the workers said that the system of employing workers on a temporary and contractual basis for work that had long-term demand must be stopped. It said that, until such a system was abolished, contractual workers must be paid salaries on a par with permanent employees. They urged for addressing the disparity in salaries of men and women who did the same work.

Highlighting that the present Kerala government had abolished the system of making workers to stand throughout the work in places such as jewellery and textile retail shops and garment units, the memorandum appealed for similar measures in Tamil Nadu. It called for 26 month maternity leave for women employees and creche facilities at workplaces.

It further said that the process of weakening labour-related laws to benefit employers and harm employees must be stopped.

Published On : 07-04-2019

Source : The Hindu