Across the country, there are several unions in textiles, garment, leather and footwear (TGLF) industries.
Garment and Allied Workers Federation of India (GAWFI) is uniting workers’ unions and unorganised workers from these sectors to establish a federation of unions.
GAWFI was formally inaugurated in the online founding conference recently in the presence of national and international union leaders, worker leaders, workers, labour activists and academicians.
The conference also hosted an international panel on the topic – Emergence of Garment Unions in Asia: Problems and Perspectives.
The founding member unions of GAWFI come from North, South, East and West of India, and have been engaging in this effort for 1 year.
The federation aims to support and strengthen existing workers’ unions to defend the democratic, social and economic rights of workers. It will build the collective bargaining capacity of TGLF workers for decent wages, gender equality, fair working conditions and mature industrial relations based on dignity and respect.
The Federation will elevate the leadership of women labour leaders and workers in this important industry, and advocate for its workers with regard to both national and international policies.
Rukmini V.P, President of the Garment Labour Union (GLU), a Bengaluru-based garment workers’ union said, “The caste and patriarchal structures in Indian society are deeply embedded in industrial relations as well. These industrial regimes disproportionately impact women workers and workers from marginalised communities. Oppression of the working class based on gender, caste and migrant identity can only be overturned through collective efforts and as a federation, we are committed to this cause.”
Veteran trade unionist Somnath Ghosh of Hosiery Workers Unity Centre (HWUC), West Bengal who has been a trade union leader for decades, said the founding of GAWFI is a historic moment.
He says, “I am hopeful that this new Federation will stimulate and uplift workers’ movements and build greater trade union unity across the country.”
Thivya, President of Tamil Nadu Textiles and Common Labour Union (TTCU) remarked, “The textile sector dominates the manufacturing industry of Tamil Nadu. It has a huge impact on the socio-economic lives of the workers and their families, who have been engaged with the industry for at least two generations now. Despite the size and importance of the sector, workers’ concerns never surface at the national level. This must change. Through this initiative we hope to bring region-wise concerns in the industry to national discourse.”
Amarnath, General Secretary of Garment and Allied Workers Union (GAWU), Haryana; Renana Jhabvala of Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) and few more representatives of the workers addressed the event and supported the GAWFI.
