FEMNET Chairman visits partner organisations in India Following the official Mission in Tamil Nadu as part of the Textile Alliance Gisela Burckhardt, CEO of FEMNET, visited the partner organisation on 10 November 2016 Munnade. The women reported on the work of the organisation and the GLU trade union it founded, which is run exclusively by women. Munnade visit 10. Nov 2016. Photo:© FEMNET e.V. A trade unionist and former seamstress attended a conference of the Clean Clothes Campaign in Nepal, where she gave a talk about her work for the first time in English. She reported that the stress in the factories is increasing: While in 1990 only 15 parts per hour had to be sewn, today there are 150 parts. In addition, it is difficult to win members for the union, because GLU has no access to the factories and can only contact the women in front of the factory gate and at home. Nevertheless, GLU was able to increase the number of members to 2,000 in recent years. A woman, including her GLU member, reported being fired after more than 14 years of work in the same factory on a flimsy pretext. The real reason for the expulsion is her age: She was 34 years old some time ago. Age discrimination particularly affects women. After the worker has overcome the first shock, she will attack the factory with the support of GLU. Another woman said she broke up with her alcoholic husband because he beat and humiliated her by bringing other women home with him. She endured it for many years – then she took her two children and left him. She also found help with GLU. Now she proudly says: “Women need to respect themselves and never think they can't solve a problem. With the support of other women, you can be strong. Now even my father’s attitude has changed, he respects and supports me.” back
