Cotone nel Tamil Nadu - Clean Clothes Campaign

["Ersilia Monti" <ersilia.monti at mclink.it>]

COME SI LAVORA NELLE FILANDE E TESSITURE DI COTONE IN TAMIL NADU (INDIA) CHE PRODUCONO PER L'ESPORTAZIONE

(richiesta di azione urgente pervenuta dalla  Clean Clothes Campaign Task Force - Tamil Nadu: savelrc at vsnl.net)

Una task force indiana, che riunisce 30 ong e 7 sigle sindacali, ha svolto indagini nelle filande e nelle tessiture di Vedasanthur, distretto di Dindigul, nel Tamil Nadu, che producono filato e tessuto di cotone per il mercato interno ma soprattutto per l'esportazione. Le informazioni raccolte dalle organizzazioni sindacali locali (CITU e altre) e le interviste condotte con i lavoratori da HOPE, una ong locale, compongono un quadro drammatico: salari al di sotto del minimo legale, violazione delle leggi sulla previdenza sociale, nessuna misura di igiene e sicurezza, negazione dei diritti sindacali, straordinari forzati, lavoro minorile.

Solo in 56 dei 167 impianti per la lavorazione del cotone nel distretto di Dindigul e' tollerata la costituzione di sindacati. Licenziamenti, liste nere e in alcuni casi la violenza fisica sono gli strumenti di cui si servono i proprietari per impedire ai lavoratori di associarsi liberamente. Essi hanno ottenuto dalla corte distrettuale di Munsif Vedasanthur l'imposizione del divieto ai lavoratori di radunarsi per un raggio di 300 metri dagli stabilimenti. Lo scopo e' impedire alle organizzazioni sindacali di avvicinare gli operai  ai cancelli e organizzare assemblee per informarli dei loro diritti.

Si calcola che siano 950 i bambini al lavoro nell'industria del cotone di Dindigul. In alcune fabbriche, adulti e bambini vengono puniti o indotti a lavorare piu' speditamente a colpi di bastone. Gli ambienti sono malsani, saturi di polvere di cotone, e l'uso di vecchi macchinari e' responsabile di frequenti incidenti con tagli e talora con amputazione delle dita.
Il diritto alla previdenza sociale non e' garantito: non sono versati i contributi pensionistici ne' assicurativi, e non viene pagata l'aspettativa per maternita'. Chi lavora da piu' di tre anni continua a essere classificato come lavoratore temporaneo. Le paghe sono al di sotto dei minimi legali e non consentono un'alimentazione sufficiente ne' condizioni abitative dignitose. 

SCRIVIAMO ALLE AUTORITA' DEL TAMIL NADU (provate per email, se il messaggio torna indietro, provate alternativamente per fax o lettera) per chiedere il rispetto delle leggi, la riabilitazione dei bambini lavoratori, un incontro con la Clean Clothes Campaign Task force - Tamil Nadu e con i sindacati per definire un piano di intervento. 
Scrivete nell'oggetto: Violations of workers' rights in Vedasanthur. 
Inviate copia alla Task Force: savelrc at vsnl.net

Dr. J. Jayalalithaa
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
Secretariat
St. George Fort
Chennai - 600 009
Fax : 91-44-2561441
E-mail: cmcell at tn.gov.in or cmcell at tn.nic.in
 
Mr. M.B. Pranesh, I.A.S
Principal Secretary
Labour & Employ. Dept
Secretariat
St. George Fort
Chennai - 600 009
Fax: 91- 44 - 25679739
E-mail: labsec at tn.gov.in
 
Mr. Senthil Kumar
The District Collector
Dindigul District
Dindigul
E-mail: collr at dindigul.tn.nic.in
 
Mr. Appukutti
President
Dindigul Spinners Association,
24 11th Cross Street
Thiruvalluvar Nagar
Spencer Compound
Dindigul -624 003
E-mail: dispa at rediffmail.com
 
 
Dear Sirs,
 
I would like to draw your attention to the critical situation of the workers of the cotton spinning mills in Vedasanthur, Dindigul, whose
fundamental rights are regularly being violated. I call upon you to take action to see that steps are taken to improve conditions for workers in
 this sector.
 
I have been informed by the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) Task Force - > Tamil Nadu that violations of workers' rights in Dindigul include:
- forced overtime
- violation of minimum wage legislation
- failure to pay legal benefits, including Employees State Insurance, provident fund benefits, holiday pay, and maternity benefits
- violation of health and safety standards in the workplace
- violation of the right to freedom of association (of the 167 cotton  mills in Dindigul, only 56 mills allow trade unions).
 
I understand that workers are regularly denied their right to free association. Specifically,  trade unions have been prohibited from
conducting gate meetings in front of the mills. Mill owners have obtained a stay from the Munsif Vedasanthur District Court to prevent
workers from assembling in front of the mill gate for a radius of 300  meters. I urge you to take action to lift this court order and ensure
that workers are able to exercise their right to free association.
 
I am also especially distressed to learn that an estimated 950 children  are employed in the Dindigul cotton mills.
 
According to the CCC Task Force - Tamil Nadu, working conditions in  these mills violate numerous laws, including:
 
- the Factories Act 1948
- The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976,
- The Trade Unions Act, 1926,
- The Minimum Wages Act, 1948,
- The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
- The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947,
- the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961,
- The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970,
- The Industrial Employment Standing Order Act 1948,
- The Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous provisions Act, 1952, and the Payment of Bonus Act, 1965.

Regarding the denial of legal benefits, I request that you advise the appropriate authorities/departments to see that basic benefits (ESI,
Provident Fund, maternity benefits, etc.) are paid to workers.

These children should be rehabilitated and provided education further their parents must be supported under poverty alleviation schemes.
 
There are numerous short-term and long-term actions that should be taken  to improve the overall working conditions in the textile spinning mills
in Dindigul district. I urge you to convene a meeting with the CCC Task  Force - Tamil Nadu and relevant trade union and labor officials to
develop a follow-up plan for addressing these problems. I believe that you have an important role to play in developing a systematic approach
for investigating and following up on rights violations in textile facilities in Vedasanthur to ensure that good labor standards are met.
 
Thank you for your consideration and I hope that you will keep me informed of the steps you take to address these concerns.
 
Sincerely,

(nome, cognome, nazione, eventuale organizzazione di appartenenza)
 

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> -----Messaggio originale-----
> Da: cleanclothes-bounces at list.xs4all.nl
> [mailto:cleanclothes-bounces at list.xs4all.nl]Per conto di
> info at cleanclothes.org
> Inviato: giovedì 18 marzo 2004 16.59
> A: cleanclothes at xs4all.nl
> Oggetto: [Cleanclothes] take action to support Indian textile workers
> 
> 
> Dear Friends,
> Please find below a request from the CCC Task Force - Tamil Nadu to
> participate in their campaign to push for improvements in the textile
> mills in Vedasanthur, India. Throughout the sector they report that
> there are violations of workers rights, including low wages and long
> working hours, intimidation and unjust dismissals, and the use of child
> labor. The task force, made up of 30 NGOs and seven trade unions working
> on labor rights issues in the region has requested that people write
> letters of concern to several public authorities to push for
> improvements. A sample letter is provided below. We encourage you to
> take a few minutes to send a letter today. Please contact the CCC Tamil
> Nadu Task Force (e-mail: savelrc at vsnl.net) with any questions on this
> appeal for action.
> 
> ---
> 
> TAMIL NADU TASK FORCE CALLS FOR CHANGES IN VEDASANTHUR TEXILE INDUSTRY
> 
> Textile workers in Vedasanthur block of Dindigul district, located in
> Tamil Nadu are enduring numerous rights violations, according to reports
> from the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) Task Force - Tamil Nadu. In
> response, the task force is calling for action, targeting public
> authorities in the district to take steps to ensure that workers' rights
> are respected.
> 
> BACKGROUND
> 
> While employers in the area are earning large profits with the export of
> yarn, the industry is characterized by the use of forced overtime, child
> labor, and the denial of fundamental union rights, reports the CCC Task
> Force - Tamil Nadu. Information on working conditions in Vedasanthur was
> gathered by local unions (CITU and others) and during interviews with
> workers organized by HOPE, a local NGO. Workers reported age-based
> discrimination. They said that experienced workers are forced to resign
> and have no option other than getting jobs at other textile mills at
> beginner's wages.
> 
> Workers in Dindigul are regularly denied their right to free
> association. Of the 167 cotton mills in Dindigul, only 56 mills allow
> trade unions. One obstacle to worker organizing is the prohibition on
> trade unions conducting gate meetings in front of the mills. The unions
> view these meetings as important opportunities to strengthen workers'
> solidarity and organizing efforts, as it is the only opportunity for
> workers who are drawn from scattered villages to meet together. Mill
> owners have obtained a stay from the Munsif Vedasanthur District Court
> to prevent workers from assembling in front of the mill gate for a
> radius of 300 meters.
> 
> Workers report that employers will dismiss them if they try to start
> trade unions or join any existing trade unions, and that they will be
> placed on a blacklist and unable to obtain work in the region. There
> have been several cases of workers being beaten up and dismissed for
> their organizing efforts.
> 
> An estimated 950 children are employed in the Dindigul cotton mills. In
> some of the area's textile mills workers, including child workers, are
> beaten with sticks, either as punishment or to keep them working at a
> fast pace. Conditions are unsafe, with old machinery in use, fingers are
> often cut and sometimes amputated. Conditions are also unhealthy due to
> poor air quality -- the fine cotton dust in the air has negative effects
> on the respiratory system of the workers.
> 
> Textile workers are regularly denied benefits they are legally entitled
> to. For example, workers do not receive Employees State Insurance (ESI),
> Provident fund (a social security retirement system for which workers
> make contributions through wage deductions and employers are also
> required to make contributions), paid maternity leave, and other
> benefits. Workers who have worked for as long as three years are still
> categorized as temporary workers. Workers are paid below the legal
> minimum wage. Workers generally live in 300 square foot tiled houses,
> without toilet facilities, and are unable to maintain a nutritious diet
> on the wages they earn.
> 
> 
> ACTION REQUEST
> 
> The CCC Task Force - Tamil Nadu is calling upon supporters to contact
> relevant state government officials to voice concern over violations of:
> 
> - minimum wage legislation,
> - right to Employees State Insurance (ESI),
> - right to provident fund,
> - right to maternity benefits,
> - health and safety standards in the workplace,
> - freedom of association,
> - and the use of child labor
> 
> in textile mills in Vedasanthur, in the Dindigul district of Tamil Nadu.
> Please take a minute to adapt the sample letter below and e-mail
> officials in Tamil Nadu today to urge them to take action on these
> serious rights violations.
> 
> 
> SAMPLE LETTER
> 
> [insert name, organization, address -- see list below]
> 
> Re: Violations of workers' rights in Vedasanthur
> 
> [insert date]
> 
> Dear [insert name],
> 
> I would like to draw your attention to the critical situation of the
> workers of the cotton spinning mills in Vedasanthur, Dindigul, whose
> fundamental rights are regularly being violated. I call upon you to take
> action to see that steps are taken to improve conditions for workers in
> this sector.
> 
> I have been informed by the Clean Clothes Campaign (CCC) Task Force -
> Tamil Nadu that violations of workers' rights in Dindigul include:
> 
> - forced overtime
> - violation of minimum wage legislation
> - failure to pay legal benefits, including Employees State Insurance,
> provident fund benefits, holiday pay, and maternity benefits
> - violation of health and safety standards in the workplace
> - violation of the right to freedom of association (of the 167 cotton
> mills in Dindigul, only 56 mills allow trade unions).
> 
> I understand that workers are regularly denied their right to free
> association. Specifically,  trade unions have been prohibited from
> conducting gate meetings in front of the mills. Mill owners have
> obtained a stay from the Munsif Vedasanthur District Court to prevent
> workers from assembling in front of the mill gate for a radius of 300
> meters. I urge you to take action to lift this court order and ensure
> that workers are able to exercise their right to free association.
> 
> I am also especially distressed to learn that an estimated 950 children
> are employed in the Dindigul cotton mills.
> 
> According to the CCC Task Force - Tamil Nadu, working conditions in
> these mills violate numerous laws, including:
> 
> - the Factories Act 1948
> - The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976,
> - The Trade Unions Act, 1926,
> - The Minimum Wages Act, 1948,
> - The Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986
> - The Industrial Disputes Act, 1947,
> - the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961,
> - The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1970,
> - The Industrial Employment Standing Order Act 1948,
> - The Employees Provident Funds and Miscellaneous provisions Act,
> 1952, and the
> - Payment of Bonus Act, 1965.
> 
> Regarding the denial of legal benefits, I request that you advise the
> appropriate authorities/departments to see that basic benefits (ESI,
> Provident Fund, maternity benefits, etc.) are paid to workers.
> 
> These children should be rehabilitated and provided education further
> their parents must be supported under poverty alleviation schemes.
> 
> There are numerous short-term and long-term actions that should be taken
> to improve the overall working conditions in the textile spinning mills
> in Dindigul district. I urge you to convene a meeting with the CCC Task
> Force - Tamil Nadu and relevant trade union and labor officials to
> develop a follow-up plan for addressing these problems. I believe that
> you have an important role to play in developing a systematic approach
> for investigating and following up on rights violations in textile
> facilities in Vedasanthur to ensure that good labor standards are met.
> 
> Thank you for your consideration and I hope that you will keep me
> informed of the steps you take to address these concerns.
> 
> Sincerely,
> 
> 
> [insert name]
> 
> 
> CONTACT INFORMATION:
> 
> Please send your letters of concern to the following:
> 
> Dr. J. Jayalalithaa
> Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
> Secretariat
> St. George Fort
> Chennai - 600 009
> Tel. : 91- 44 -25672345
> Fax : 91-44-2561441
> E-mail: cmcell at tn.gov.in or cmcell at tn.nic.in
> 
> Mr. M.B. Pranesh, I.A.S
> Principal Secretary
> Labour & Employ. Dept
> Secretariat
> St. George Fort
> Chennai - 600 009
> Tel: 91-44 - 25670472
> Fax: 91- 44 - 25679739
> E-mail: labsec at tn.gov.in
> 
> Mr. Senthil Kumar
> The District Collector
> Dindigul District
> Dindigul
> Tel. : 91 -451 - 2461199
> E-mail: collr at dindigul.tn.nic.in
> 
> Mr. Appukutti
> President
> Dindigul Spinners Association,
> 24 11th Cross Street
> Thiruvalluvar Nagar
> Spencer Compound
> Dindigul -624 003
> E-mail: dispa at rediffmail.com
> 
> Please send copies of all your letters and any responses you receive to
> the CCC Task Force - Tamil Nadu
> E-mail: savelrc at vsnl.net
> 
> 
> 
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