The Madras Rubber Factory United Workers Union has been on a strike since 9th May
2009. The workers of this union demanded the labour rights to be recognized. They have been collectively bargained for their labour rights. The Management locks out the factory and dismissed the labour. The factory was closed on 17.05.2009. The workers of the Madras Rubber Factory United Workers Union went on strike for more than 120 days, from May 9th till Sep. 9th.

Tamil Nadu Women’s Forum (TNWF) sent an Urgent Appeal to get support to the workers. We are very thankful to APWLD especially for taking immediate action and appealing to all the Indian Ministers concerned.

Meanwhile TNWF sent information to various Trade Unions. ICEM (International Cement Energy and Mine). IUF (International Union of Food, Agricultural, Hotel, Restaurant, Catering, Tobacco and Allied Workers Associations) started regularly informing trade unions all over regarding the struggle of the MRF workers.

On the 11.6.09 TNWF, Alliance of People’s Movement (APM) and Tamil Nadu Dalit Women’s Movement (TNDWM) organized protest demonstration in supportive of the workers rights and demanded the Government to activate the ILO recommendation given on 14th Sep. 2007.

We organized a press meet where the MRF United Workers Union members participated and the media covered the mater widly. We joined their hall meeting. We organized consultation on alternative employment for the women workers of MRFUWU.

On the 7th Sep.2009 we met the General Secretary of the New Trade Union Initiative (NTUI), Pen Thozhilalargal Sangam, and Women Labourers Trade Union and with MRF workers. During that meeting we planned to conduct demonstration in front of all the MRF show rooms in 7 States with the support of NTUI.

Every time, the hearing of the litigation was postponed. The workers went on protest demonstration in front of the Court, in front of the MRF Head Office in Chennai and the workers met with the leaders of the Opposition Political Parties. Along with workers we stood with them in their struggle. The Workers who were on strike faced lathi charges and beaten up badly.Fourty five of them got arrested for not joining the Management.

Finally on the 9th Sep.2009, the judgment was delivered by Madras High Court. The Madras Rubber Factory United Workers Union has to be recognized by the Management and should agree to adhere the ILO recommendations.

It is not only a grate success to the workers and their family members but also a great Historical Victory to the workers movement especially in this Globalization Era.
TNWF, APM and TNDWM joining in their celebration today on Sep. 12th and on the 14th morning our presence is requested to be with them when they are entering the factory to rejoin their work after four months.
We thank all those who supported in appealing to uphold the rights of workers. Finally the judgment was given in favour of workers. Workers rights to be protected and respected. Right to work is the fundamental rights. This judgment could be used by all the workers movement which is facing problems in Unionizing.

WORKERS UNITED WILL NEVER BE DEFEATED.

LONG LIVE WORKERS’ MOVEMENTS

TAMIL NADU WOMEN’S FORUM.