Fighting for a sustainable industrial policy

The workshop on sustainable industrial policy was attended by IndustriALL Global Union affiliates, national centres and civil society organisations. Low wages and the widespread use of contract labour are major challenges for promoting a sustainable industrial development.

Discussing the framework for the day, IndustriALL regional secretary Sudhershan Rao Sarde said:

“Sustainable development should promote social dialogue, including good wages, service conditions and collective bargaining.”

Many of the national centres in India are on common platform to move forward with collective action and participants pledged to minimize the contract work force in the region. On 5 December a nationwide demonstration, organized by the national centres, will be held to jointly support the struggle of the workers.

Dr. G. Sanjeeva Reddy, member of IndustriALL’s Executive Committee, concluded:

“Workers trapped in triangular employment relationships, officially employed by an agency or contractor but actually working for another company, can rarely bargain collectively on terms and conditions of employment. But the collective efforts of trade unions can minimize the triangular trap and stop this exploitation."