Women tobacco workers win historic wage increase in Ahmedabad, India

12-04-2013

More than 15,000 women workers employed as home-based beedi (cigarette) workers in Ahmedabad in the north western state of Gujarat have won a 15% wage increase through collective bargaining. The women beedi workers are members of the IUF-affiliated Self Employed Women's Association (SEWA).

In the neighbouring state of Rajasthan SEWA successfully organized beedi workers in 2010, negotiating an initial 78% wage increase and progressively raising wages each year through collective bargaining. This year beedi workers organized by SEWA in Rajasthan won a 12% wage increase.

The International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers' Associations (IUF) is an international federation of trade unions representing workers employed in agriculture and plantations; the preparation and manufacture of food and beverages; hotels, restaurants and catering services; all stages of tobacco processing. The IUF is composed of 394 affiliated organizations in 126 countries representing a combined membership of around 2,6 million.

How to contact the IUF:
Email: [email protected]
Post: Rampe du Pont-Rouge, 8, CH-1213, Petit-Lancy (Switzerland)
Phone: + 41 22 793 22 33
Fax: + 41 22 793 22 38