Leone: hello friends. In today's coffee with leone, we are going to meet Ms. Dhanlakshmi. Hello madam Dhanalakshmi: Hello Sir. L: Tell us about yourself. In which union are working and what is your designation? D: I work for the women of PTS and GAFWU. Especially i work for garment workers. I am a Vice president in the union. L: Tell us more about your education, your family background. D: I am from Manamadhi village, Kanchipuram dist. Our main occupation is agriculture. I have completed my nursing education. When i visit villages for union work, they ask for first aid. For small wounds, headaches and small issues. We cannot give treatment. So to serve them i completed 2 years course. L: A person who completed a nursing course and from agriculture family background how did you come to trade union work? Did you work as labor anywhere? or how did you come to this field? D: I have worked in small NGOs. I have been a member in fine art group since 1994. We used to create dramas and songs which were related to existing problems in the workplace, how the worker ill be, state of women etc. I realised that women are facing so many problems so i have to serve them. At that time i met our head Ms. SUjata. I joined to union and now working with all types of workers like garment workers, domestic helper and construction workers. L: Good. You are in a responsible position now and did so many things. Which one do you say as your achievement? D: 10 years back, during 2008 i joined a company to work. I joined as an operator in an export company. Within one week i went inside the line for work. In that line supervisor, incharge, production incharge everyone's behaviour towards women worker really bad. They cant say their problem outside. They are adjusting everything and working there. When i was a union leader and went for i eyewitnessed this, the master was explaining the worker about a new model which was introduced, while saying this, he was touching that worker. That worker asked why are you touching me, for that he said, you have to adjust all these. That time I asked him is that necessary to touch while teaching. Is there any other way where you can explain without touching. You think you can use women as per your wish? You say it as a safe company, good for your growth, a company which supports women and called us for work. Is this safety? I asked all these to GM. After asking this all line managers said they dont me in their dept. But no one asked me to go out. Only that line said no to me. They let me for easy work. I was with a ID card of operator, i was asked to lift boxes. I said i cant lift this, look at this id I am an operator, make me sit in the machine, i will work. What i thought was somehow i have to work for these workers here and let them know their rights. I need to take their problems till labor court. After that, i joined union. Before that, i was concerned about workers, women. I wanted to find a solution for women's problem. I had all these goals so i joined the union and worked with our leader. I have taken many issues to ACL, DCL. Successfully i have completed few issues and made owners and labors to talk in front of the commissioner. L: Thank you Ms. Dhanalakshmi. The time you spent with me were great, thank you
