Rukmini

Presently the President of Garment Labor Union (GLU). Having worked as a tailor herself in the garment factories for 23 years, she has addressed issues faced by the garment workers related to labor right violations and domestic/social issues. She joined Garment Mahila Karmikara Munnade (social organization of women garment workers) in 2004 and served as its ‘Convener’ till 2006. To support garment workers legally, she became the General Secretary of a labor union from 2006 to 2011. Because of her active involvement in the union, she was illegally terminated in Dec 2006. But due to pressure from brands, labor union and factory, an agreement was reached that Rukmini could work full time for the labor union and also as a factory employee with all benefits (without entering the factory). She has immense experience in enabling the garment workers to access their rights. She has received trainings in counseling, health issues, unionization, women’s and labor rights, labor laws, laws related to ESI, PF etc., leadership and organizational management skills through reputed organizations/resource persons. Rukmini along with likeminded garment workers established GLU in 2012. She also holds the position of Convener in National Alliance for People’s Movement.

Saroja

Presently the General Secretary of GLU and worked as a Tailor in garment factories for 15 years. Out of her motivation to support the garment workers in their struggle to access their rights and entitlements, she joined Munnade as a ‘worker volunteer’ in 2004. From 2004 to 2010, she functioned in a range of roles such as Executive Committee Member, General Secretary, Vice President and full time activist. She was an Executive Committee Member in a garment worker labor union. She has immense experience in addressing the issues of garment workers related to work place rights violations and domestic/social issues. She is trained in counseling, health issues, field activism, labor rights, labor laws and laws related to ESI, PF etc. through reputed organizations/resource persons. She joined ‘Garment Labor Union (GLU)’ in 2012.