Work and Dignity

A workshop on labour policy, labour rights and labour struggles

12-16 May 2018, Sambhaavnaa Institute, Palampur, Himachal

Background

Jobs are the number one challenge facing the country today. Not only is the ‘growing’ Indian economy not creating jobs for even a tenth of those entering the job market, the jobs that are being created much closely approximate exploitation rather than employment.

The perspective of the employers is that it is the ‘rigid’ labour laws of the country – and the corresponding legal protections occupied by the small minority of workers (8 per cent) – which prevents the creation of quality jobs for the majority (92 percent). For the better part of the last two-and-a-half decades, all governments, both at the centre and in the states, irrespective of the parties that constitute them, have both directly and indirectly lowered the barriers of protection workers receive under law. This has however not solved the problem and in fact job loss is on the rise and job creation is at an all-time low.

The reality that faces the country’s working people is somewhat different and a little more complex than what employers suggest. It comprises the following elements:

First, the country’s labour laws are complex and often over lapping, creating multiple jurisdictions that are used by employers to disadvantage workers
Second, the economy thrives on the capacity of the organised corporate sector to adopt capital intensive labour displacing technology on the one hand, and, on the other hand,create and maintain a large un-organised sector both in terms of enterprises and employment
Third, there is a huge reservoir of surplus labour, in rural areascontributed in large measure by the agrarian crisis, that is mostly under employed and in its desperation for work is willing to work for less and less
Fourth, global political transformation towards a uni-polar world and the new ‘universal’ economics has forced the global integration of economies allowing the market much greater power than even national governments
And finally, corporate enterprises take advantage of the divisions in society be they of gender, caste, religion, region or language

These factors cause the enormous discrimination that working people are subject to, resulting in degraded lives of the vast majority of the country’s population who work in wretched conditions with low wages.

It is not that the government has not attempted to address the question of both job creation and the conditions of work. It has appointed various committees and two national commissions by the parliament. However, it is also clear that these efforts have fallen flat, and the misery of working people continues, and worsens. In fact, the condition of working people falls far below the conventions set by the International Labour Organisation.

There has also been rich history of resistance by the working people through trade unions and other people based associations and struggles. And yet, they have not been enough to change the lives of the over whelming majority of working people.

Why this workshop?

It would not be hyperbole to say that labour rights are at the heart of the fight for human rights. Nor would it be inappropriate in the Indian context to say that the risk of the demographic dividend turning into a demographic curse – which looms large over us today – cannot be averted unless these issues are understood and addressed head-on.

This workshop will endeavour to

unravel the historical underpinnings of the present condition of working people
survey the law and government policy, with specific instances of how and why they have worked and not worked
examineemployer and trade union actions, with specific instances of how and why they have worked and not worked
look at developments in the global environment, especially policy shifts, that have affected the Indian context adversely, as also international experience that could have benefited the developments in India
develop legal and policy alternativesand, strategies for action that can be advanced by workers and their organisations to address the challenges that working people face

Who should attend?

The workshop is open to(1) activists working on labour rights and policy issues, in trade unions or other labour collectives/groups(2) individuals and organizations engaged directly or indirectly in addressing challenges around labour issues, or those who feel that these issues have a direct bearing on their work(3) researchers engaged with labour policy and advocacyand (4) any activist who addresses the question on livelihood and would like to connect this with the larger issue of working people.

Language

A mix of English and Hindi. The mode of interaction shall involve lectures, group work, group discussions, film and documentary screening.

About the facilitators

The workshop will be coordinated by Gautam Mody (New Trade Union Initiative). Babu Mathew (Professor, National Law School, Bengaluru and former trade unionist) will lead the discussion on policy and the law. Dithhi Bhattacharya (Centre for Workers’ Management) will lead the group on understanding what work is. Prabhu Mahapatra (Professor of Labour History, University of Delhi) will explore the relationship between the organised sector and growing informality while Milind Ranade (KachraVahatuk Shramik Sangh) will share the experiences of manual scavengers.

Program Contribution

We hope that participants would contribute an amount of Rs. 4000 for 5 days towards workshop expenses, inclusive of all onsite workshop costs: boarding, lodging, and all the materials used in the workshop. Need based partial waivers are available; We have a very limited number of partial waivers so please apply for a waiver only if you really need it. Do remember that there may be others who need it more than you.

Venue: Sambhaavnaa Institute, Palampur, Himachal Pradesh

Contact: For more information please call Shashank – 889 422 7954 or email: programs@sambhaavnaa.org

Getting to Sambhaavnaa: https://www.sambhaavnaa.org/contact/how-to-reach-us/

Schedule for the program:

Day 1: 12 May 2018

Session 1 (10:30 AM to 1:30 PM)

Introduction to the programme – Sambhaavnaa & Gautam Mody