We should know that whether the company has right to stop something which is allowed by law? If you come to union and talking with heads you will get to know more about it. So you should see union as a school where you are learning new things. Deducting money transport or stopping transport facility is nowhere mentioned in law. We can approach the government to give free bus passes for workers.
It is happy to see women workers gathering here. Because in present scenario, there is one party to gather unorganised labours and listen to their problems and needs. Forming a union and conducting meetings to share our problem will be useful and need of the hour. Just like how kids need schooling to learn new things and meet new people, even we should consider union as our school. We we come to union and meet other people who work like us, we can discuss about their work environment, what are facilities they are getting. If we discuss all these we can realise that we can get all these facilities if we ask for it. We can discuss about bonus. Why we get bonus of 8.33% we can get upto 20% as bonus. Such things can be discussed in union. And also we can know legal facility we can avail. Recently 14 workers from celebrity fashions were suspended from work. If you join union you can know what all legal rights workers have during their suspension. After joining today's meeting you must have come to know that the suspended workers are getting 75% of their salary. Legally if a worker is suspended, during the tie of investigation the worker should get salary without fail. Sujatha mam has shared many things on problems faced in different companies, and also explained about how they approached commissioner and also they filed case for minimum wages. If you be at home or just go to company you will never know your rights. Its not that we have to speak only about the problems we can also discuss the solutions or new ideas and present in front of the management. We can create such positive approach among us to succeed. We have found victory in minimum wages case but immediately the company started charging for bus fare and many companies stopped providing van facility.
We have helped many too get increased their salary and to get their bonus. Union can do what an individual cannot do. In 2 years we have faced many problems. Who is affected with bus fare hike? It is we the poor people who are affected with this. Government people are not using buses. They are going by AC cars. It is we who are travelling in bus and getting affected. No political party is going to help us. Even in ration shop we are not asking anything. Whatever they are giving we are getting it and coming back. We should ask back. Members are the strength of union. If you come to union you can come to know many things.
We are all here to get our rights. Earlier Mr. Bharathi was sharing that few people has asked what will they get if they attend the meeting. This is not ADMK or DMK or PMK party meeting. These party people have robbed common people so they will give 1000, 2000 and biriyani and alcohols. This a women worker union to get our rights. There are many who scared to start union because if you start union there is no job opportunity for you. As the number of members increases our strength will increase. Being domestic helper is a difficult task. You have cook, bend and sweep. For this work we have asked Rs.70 per hour. Is this too much? Definitely not. Then why are you not asking for it. In present condition you need minimum of Rs.25 as bus fare. Ask them that the salary you are giving is not sufficient. You are not slaves, be brave and ask. They are getting their work done. So dont think what will they feel if you ask for money.
Today's meeting is arranged by PTS and GAFWU. On the occasion of women's day, for our wage issues, for our self-respect we have conducted many protests. We have given many requests too. On March 5th we the largest protest with 10 demands. We ask you to join union to know your rights but not to fight in your workplace. After many protests garment workers got minimum wages. Without any fear come and join union and talk about your problems in union.
I am Pushparani from Vadanimeyal. I heard Dr. Adlin talking about alcoholism in Makkal Arangam. She told many things about alcohol addicts. She told that with medication alcoholism cannot be cured completely but it can be controlled. There are many treatment centres and one of many relatives went there. They said there is no proper treatment. Please suggest any hospital or treatment centre where we can get the full result without any side effects.
I am Selvarani from Kanchipuram dist. I am heading PLS. There are 20 groups in our panchayat. All these 20 groups are working well. We have got many help in Tsunami livelihood programme. We have helped many to get loan and lead their life in a new way. We help women in reaching all Government schemes, especially for women. We have also helped differently abled people and single mothers. It will be good if you tell us more about other central government schemes. We can fight and get those schemes too. Earlier there was a wine shop in our village. We fought and the shop was removed. Again they have started wine shop in our panchayath, We have already started to fight for that. Surely we will remove that wine shop at the earliest.
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Song By Pusparani
I request as a domestic helper that all domestic helpers should get holidays of 4 days in a month, bonus once in a year, increment at least once in 2 years.