Achievements

• The forum has conducted an investigative study on sumangali, hostel & camp labour schemes for young women workers in the Tirupur garment industry (“women workers in a cage” a book was published in June 2007 based on this study). Then, it had found that 32,645 young women workers are employed in 1702 factories in two blocks of Tirupur district alone and among them 8,890 adolescent girls and young women workers are employed under the camp coolie scheme. Most of the factories are supply chain factories of global apparel brands. Adverse working and living conditions in camp labour scheme was exposed to local media with evidence by TPF.
• The network has conducted several consultation meetings, seminars and workshops for local NGOs, Trade Unions, lawyers, academics, media persons, women collectives and civil society actors at Grass root level as well as in the State level.
• TPF has lobbied with political party leaders, minister for labour welfare and employment, minister of social welfare, chairperson of state women commission, member secretary of TN legal aid service, chairperson of TN social welfare board, secretary of labour ministry & director of social welfare ministry etc.
• TPF has campaigned for the farmers’ affected by garment industrial pollution to gain compensation for the loss of crops. It has formed a federation of farmers in the downstream of Orathupalayam dam and by coordinating various small and marginal farmers.
• We have conducted a study on the environmental impact of garment industrial pollution in Noyyal river basin. Findings of the study reflected the socio-economic and health impact faced by riverside communities, farmers and children.
• Lobbying with State Government and Judiciary for Sumangali scheme victims has led to formation of district level monitoring committees and random raids by labour department. Finally State Government fixed minimum wages of 2.38 Euros per 8 hours of work.
• TPF has submitted evidences collected from victims to the High Court of Madras and later on it was reflected in the Judgment dated 30/04/2009 issued in the High Court dismissing the writ petition by employers association against State of Tamilnadu and 11 trade unions for fixing minimum rate of wages payable to the apprentices (girls under camp coolie scheme) engaged in the employment in Textile Mills. Judgment favoring girl child labourers also recalled that India has ratified core ILO conventions and bound to accept ILO Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work, which is an expression of commitment by governments, organisations of workers and employers, to uphold basic human values that are vital to social and economic lives, Freedom of association and the effective recognition of the right to collective bargaining, elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labour, effective abolition of child labour and elimination of discrimination in respect of employment and occupation.
• TPF has filed petitions in Parisian Human Rights Instruments of India (National & State Human Rights Commissions, National Commission for Protection of Child rights, National & State Women Commissions). TPF has set up a Helpline center and assisted 211 young girl child labourers and women workers. In 2008-2009, 1,749 young girls and women victims belonging to 7 districts are identified. 350 case studies are compiled.
• Public hearing was conducted by the State Women’s Commission with the active support of TPF in November 2009. About 200 people attended the hearing in November 2009, including government officials; several employers, human rights activists, media persons and 43 victims gave testimonies. Some employers had paid compensation and State women commission conducted spot checks in textile mills.
• TPF through its continued lobbying and advocacy activities, sensitized people including media, Trade unions, International brands and Government officials at State and District level about the problems faced by young women in textile and garment industries.