The Unorganised Workers Federation and the Women’s Rights Movement has called for the establishment of accessible grievance boxes and committees for unorganised women workers. 

This comes after a planning meeting held on January 25 in Chennai, where various women workers’ welfare organisations discussed the urgent need for safer workplaces, educational institutions, and public spaces for women.

R. Leelavathi, state secretary of the Unorganised Workers Federation, pointed out that women across various industries such as agriculture, construction, domestic work, and more are facing systemic challenges. While the Prevention of Sexual Harassment at Workplaces and Grievance Committee Justice Act mandates grievance committees for organised workers, these committees are often non-functional, she said, adding that most women find it impossible to travel to the District Collector’s office to register complaints.

For unorganised workers, it is an even bigger hurdle as there is no grievance committee at the District Collector’s office, leaving them without a proper avenue for reporting abuse. This has prompted a demand for grievance boxes and committees to be set up at the local ward level across villages, towns, and cities, said R. Geetha, general secretary of the Unorganised Workers Federation.

Further, with increasing reports of sexual harassment in educational institutions, activists are calling for a specific policy dedicated to the safety of women in schools and universities. 

Ms. Leelavathi said the planning meeting also laid the groundwork for an upcoming conference, which will bring together women workers’ representatives, rights activists, academics, lawyers, and social activists. The conference will advocate for safety and equality in all areas of women’s lives, with a special focus on the rights and protection of women workers.