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SESSION PLAN FOR TWO DAY TRAINING ON MICRO MACRO ISSUES LINKAGES FOR WOMEN BEEDI WORKERS

DAY 1
Human rights (Day 1 session 1 )11:00 - 1:00 Violation of human rights (Day 1 session 2 ) 2:00 3:00 Globalization (Day 1 session 3)3:00 4:00 Questions from the days session 4:00- 5:00

DAY 2
Unorganized sector work and increasing feminization of unorganized work, (Day 2 session 1) 11:00 1:00 Status of women unorganized sector workers, (Day 2 session 2) 2:00 3:00 Contextualization of women beedi workers and (Day 2 session3) 3:00- 4:00 Emerging issues in beedi industry. (Day 2 session 4) 4:00 5:00 Questions from the days session and feedback 5:00- 6:00

Human rights
What is meant by human rights? Divide the participants in two groups: Gr 1 to point out on a chart paper what is meant by human rights Gr 2 to point out on a chart paper what are the various types of human rights. Closure: A. What is meant by human rights? 49. Human rights are universal legal guarantees protecting individuals and groups against actions which interfere with fundamental freedoms and human dignity. Human rights law obliges Governments to do some things and prevents them from doing others. Some of the most important characteristics of human rights are the following: They are internationally guaranteed; They are legally protected; They focus on the dignity of the human being; They protect individuals and groups; They obligate States and State actors; They cannot be waived/taken away; They are equal and interdependent;

They are universal. 50. International cooperation in promoting and encouraging respect for the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all is one of the purposes of the United Nations, as outlined in Article 1 of its Charter. Thus, since the founding of the Organization in 1945, human rights have been the business of every Member State, every constituent body, every programme and agency, and every staff member of t he United Nations. B. Some examples of human rights 51. Human rights and fundamental freedoms are enumerated in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and in various treaties (also called covenants and conventions), declarations, guidelines and bodies of principles elaborated by the United Nations and by regional organizations. They include a broad range of guarantees, addressing virtually every aspect of human life and human interaction. Among the rights guaranteed to all human beings are: The right o life; Freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment; Freedom from arbitrary arrest or detention; The right to a fair trial; Freedom from discrimination; The right to equal protection of the law; Freedom from arbitrary interference with privacy, family, home or correspondence; Freedom of association, expression, assembly and movement; The right to seek and enjoy asylum; The right to a nationality; Freedom of thought, conscience and religion; The right to vote and take part in government; The right to just and favourable work conditions; The right to adequate food, shelter, clothing and social security; The right o health; The right to education; The right o property; The right to participate in cultural life; and, of course, The right to development. Classification of human rights Human rights can be classified and organised in a number of different ways, at an international level the most common categorisation of human rights has been to split them into civil and political rights, and economic, social and cultural rights. Civil and political rights are enshrined in articles 3 to 21 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR). Economic, social and cultural rights are enshrined in articles 22 to 28 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) and in the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR). Indivisibility The UDHR included economic, social and cultural rights and civil and political rights because it was based on the principle that the different rights could only successfully exist in combination:

The ideal of free human beings enjoying civil and political freedom and freedom from fear and want can only be achieved if conditions are created whereby everyone may enjoy his civil and political rights, as well as his social, economic and cultural rights. International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic Social and Cultural Rights, 1966 This is held to be true because without civil and political rights the public cannot assert their economic, social and cultural rights. Similarly, without livelihoods and a working society, the public cannot assert or make use of civil or political rights (known as the full belly thesis). The indivisibility and interdependence of all human rights has been confirmed by the 1993 Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action: All human rights are universal, indivisible and interdependent and related. The international community must treat human rights globally in a fair and equal manner, on the same footing, and with the same emphasis. Vienna Declaration and Programme of Action, World Conference on Human Rights, 1993 This statement was again endorsed at the 2005 World Summit in New York (paragraph 121). Although accepted by the signatories to the UDHR, most do not in practice give equal weight to the different types of rights. Some Western cultures have often given priority to civil and political rights, sometimes at the expense of economic and social rights such as the right to work, to education, health and housing. For example, in the United States there is no universal access to healthcare free at the point of use.[18] That is not to say that Western cultures have overlooked these rights entirely (the welfare states that exist in Western Europe are evidence of this). Similarly the ex Soviet bloc countries and Asian countries have tended to give priority to economic, social and cultural rights, but have often failed to provide civil and political rights.

Violation of human rights

Discuss the various modes and agencies of violation of human rights.

Human rights violations occur when any state or non-state actor breaches any part of the UDHR treaty or other international human rights or humanitarian law. In regard to human rights violations of United Nations laws. Article 39 of the United Nations Charter designates the UN Security Council (or an appointed authority) as the only tribunal that may determine UN human rights violations. Human rights abuses are monitored by United Nations committees, national institutions and governments and by many independent non-governmental organizations, such as Amnesty International, International Federation of Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, World Organisation Against Torture, Freedom House, International Freedom of Expression Exchange and Anti-Slavery International. These organisations collect evidence and documentation of alleged human rights abuses and apply pressure to enforce human rights laws. Only a very few countries do not commit significant human rights violations, according to Amnesty International. In their 2004 human rights report (covering 2003), the Netherlands, Norway, Denmark, Iceland and Costa Rica are the only (mappable) countries that did not (in the opinion of Amnesty International) violate at least some human rights significantly.[69]

There are a wide variety of databases available which attempt to measure, in a rigorous fashion, exactly what violations governments commit against those within their territorial jurisdiction. [citation needed] An example of this is the list created and maintained by Prof. Christian Davenport at the Kroc Institute University of Notre Dame.[70] Wars of aggression, war crimes and crimes against humanity, including genocide, are breaches of International humanitarian law and represent the most serious of human rights violations. When a government closes a geographical region to journalists, it raises suspicions of human rights violations. I. Who monitors human rights? 71. Of course, merely establishing a set of rules is not enough to ensure their application. The implementation of human rights standards is closely watched at several levels. National institutions and organizations monitoring human rights are: Concerned government agencies and services; Paris Principles institutions, such as an independent human rights commission or an ombudsman (these are sometimes referred to simply as national human rights institutions); Human rights groups and other non-governmental organizations (NGOs); Community-based organizations; The courts; Parliament; The media; Professional associations (such as lawyers or doctors associations); Trade unions; Religious organizations; and Academic institutions.

Globalisation
To understand globalistion we need to look into the concept of development. What is development? For the United Nations, sustainable human development means looking at development In an integrated, multidisciplinary way. Human rights are central to this concept of development, which stresses not just economic growth, but equitable distribution, enhancement of peoples capabilities and enlargement of their choices. It gives highest priority to the elimination of poverty, the integration of women in the development process, self reliance and selfdetermination of people and governments, including the rights of indigenous peoples. Sustainable human development places people at the centre of development and advocates the protection of the life opportunities of present and future generations, respecting the natural systems on which all life depends.

The right to development 53. The right to development may be expressed this way: Everyone has the right to participate in, contribute to and enjoy economic, social, cultural and political development. This right includes permanent sovereignty over natural resources; self-determination; popular participation; equality of opportunity; and the advancement of adequate conditions for the enjoyment of other civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights. The beneficiaries of the right to development are clear as well. As with all human rights, the human person is the subject. The right to development is claimable by individuals and, collectively, by peoples. Importantly, the right obligates both individual States (to ensure equal and adequate access to essential resources) and the international community (to promote fair development policies and effective international cooperation). How does a rights-based approach to development differ from a needs-based approach? Development is not a simple matter of charity, but a right. The distinction is an important one. When something (like development) is defined as a right, it means that someone holds a claim, or legal entitlement, and someone else holds a corresponding duty or legal obligation. This means that Governments, and their agents, are accountable to people for fulfilling such obligations. The duties held (by individual States vis--vis their own people, and collectively by the international community of States) are in some cases positive duties (to do or provide something) and, in others, negative duties (to refrain from doing something). With a rights-based approach, effective action for development moves from the optional realm of charity into the mandatory realm of law, with identifiable rights, obligations, claim-holders and duty-holders. What is more, adopting a rights-based approach opens the door for the use of a rich and growing pool of information, analysis and jurisprudence developed in recent years by treaty bodies and other human rights specialists on the requirements of adequate housing, health, food, childhood development, the rule of law, and virtually all other elements of sustainable human development. A popular marker for indexing development is globalisation

Globalisation Globalization refers to the increasing unification of the world's economic order through reduction of such barriers to international trade as tariffs, export fees, and import quotas. The goal is to increase material wealth, goods, and services through an international division of labor by efficiencies catalyzed by international relations, specialization and competition. It describes the process by which regional economies, societies, and cultures have become integrated through communication, transportation, and trade. The term is most closely associated with the term economic globalization: the integration of national economies into the international economy through trade, foreign direct investment, capital flows, migration, the spread of technology, and military presence.[1] However, globalization is usually recognized as being driven by a combination of economic, technological, socio- cultural, political, and biological factors.[2] The term can also refer to the transnational circulation of ideas, languages, or popular culture through acculturation. An aspect of the world which has gone through the process can be said to be globalized.

It is a generally held view that although there are obvious problems with overly-rapid development, globalization is a very positive force that lifts countries out of poverty. It causes a virtual economic cycle associated with faster economic growth.[68] Workers in developing countries now have more occupational choices than ever before. Educated workers in developing countries are able to compete on the global job market for high paying jobs. Production workers in developing countries are not only able to compete; they have a strong advantage over their counterparts in the industrialized world.[69] This translates into increased opportunity. Workers have the choice of emigrating and taking jobs in industrial countries or staying at home to work in outsourced industries. In addition, the global economy provides a market for the products of cottage industry, providing more opportunities.[68

Effects of globalization:
1 Brain drain: experienced workers move out 2 Sweat shop: Production workers agree to work for a much lower amount of money that too in unhealthy conditions. 3 Income inequalities: The globalization of the job market has had negative consequences in developed countries. Mind workers (engineers, attorneys, scientists, professors, executives, journalists, consultants) are able to compete successfully in the world market and command high wages. Conversely, production workers and service workers in industrialized nations are unable to compete directly with workers in third world countries.[43] Workflow changes so that poor countries gain the low-value-added element of work formerly done in rich countries, while higher-value work is retained; This has resulted in a growing gap between the incomes of the rich and poor..

Status of women unorganized sector workers

Since there is brain drain and other economic factors involved, only women are left as possible employee. Moreover they are susceptible to violation of rights because of their inaccessibility to judiciary and other redressal system as well as gross lack of information regarding their rights. Women engaged in unorganized activity in India constitute a large and significant section of our population. This basic fact has several dimensions. First, the unorganised sector is the primary source of employment for women. Existing data suggest that the majority of economically active women in India are engaged in the unorganised sector. Virtually all of the female non-agricultural labor force is in the unorganised sector: for example, in India the unorganised sector accounts for over 95 percent of women workers outside agriculture. The unorganised sector accounts for nine out of every ten women working outside agriculture. Secondly, the unorganised sector is a larger source of employment for women than for men (UN 2000). In fact, the proportion of women workers in the unorganised sector exceeds that of men in most developing countries, not only in India. Third, womens share of the total unorganised workforce outside of agriculture is higher than mens share. The structure of the unorganized manufacturing sector remains heavily biased in favour of small and organizationally primitive units. Early analyses of the structure of industry at independence had pointed to the domination of lower forms of production', or production characterized by the use of non-power-driven techniques, and the absence of hired labour in predominantly rural and semiurban areas. Women engaged in unorganized activity in India constitute a large and significant section of our population. This basic fact has several dimensions. First, the unorganised sector is the

primary source of employment for women. Existing data suggest that the majority of economically active women in India are engaged in the unorganised sector. Virtually all of the female nonagricultural labor force is in the unorganised sector: for example, in India the unorganised sector accounts for over 95 percent of women workers outside agriculture. The unorganised sector accounts for nine out of every ten women working outside agriculture. Secondly, the unorganised sector is a larger source of employment for women than for men (UN 2000). In fact, the proportion of women workers in the unorganised sector exceeds that of men in most developing countries, not only in India. Third, womens share of the total unorganised workforce outside of agriculture is higher than mens share. By trying to balance between home and work, women miss out on health and nutrition. Also unhealthy working conditions make them prone to permanent health hazards primarily among them being their reproductive health.

Contextualization of women beedi workers and Emerging issues in beedi industry.

The work is done at home and there is no separate area for work. Beedi rolling is the main source of income though in some cases the income is supplemented by working as coolie or mason. Average daily income is anywhere between Rs. 20 to 50; some however earn upto Rs. 80. The average number of hours that they work for is between 8 to 10. Families are large with number of children varying from 3 to 7. Very few have 1 or 2 children. Most of the respondents replied that their children go to school. Complaints about beedi rejection are few but in case of rejection no wages are paid for that. Women beedi workers suffer from several health problems; there are no medical facilities given by the employer. None of the workers have ESI. There are no leave facilities and there is hardly any time for any other activity. There are no loan facilities from Bank; there is no Provident Fund. Most of the workers are not aware of their legal rights; All the workers have established Trade Unions in their respective areas. None of them have a workers co-operative. There is hardly any support from Panchayat.

Even though the overall conditions of the women beedi workers are pathetic and there is a lot of exploitation in various ways, they still tolerate everything for fear of losing livelihood. Coupled with that is the fact of recession in the industry because of governments tax policies, prohibition on smoking and coming into the market of mini cigarettes. The latter is a status symbol and the price is competitive so people prefer smoking mini cigarette to beedis. Employers often use this as a pretext and threat to withdraw work and thereby harass and compel women to accept whatever wages are offered. The insecure workers thus, succumb to these pressures. There is an utter lack of awareness of the laws as well. However, even if some awareness is there, the industry being home based, the workers are scattered and collective action is difficult. The worst part however is that helplessness and poverty- with no alternative work prospects- impels them to suffer in silence. If the quality of material supplied by the employer is not good then, naturally, the beedis rolled also cannot be expected to be of standard quality. The employers then

reject these beedi. Even if one beedi is not upto their expectation, the entire bundle is rejected. As a result, not only are the wages for the rejected beedis not given but also the cost of the tobacco is recovered from the worker. Also, it has become almost customary for the employer to demand hundred extra beedi for every 1,000 beedis supplied. The wages are not only not paid on time but not fully paid. The signatures are obtained on an amount higher than the amount paid. Should any worker dare to challenge this, they are threatened and may lose work and hence whatever little they earn. Even very small girls- as young as 4, are engaged in the trade. They begin with unwinding of the thread which needs no expertise. Most of the workers are not given identity cards or other documents which are required for obtaining benefits under the law.

Closure:
During last two days we have tried to identify the various roots that have immediate effect on our regular projects. I t is no surprise then that we find at the end of our workshop our problems have far fetched links with the current global scenario. Therefore we need to strengthen our position by organizing into more cohesive cooperatives and must push for large scale policy level changes. For this we need to extend our liaison with media and various government agencies.