Discuss the role played by the Trade Union to address the issues of women workers by drawing examples from India

Trade Unions play a crucial role in addressing issues faced by women workers, advocating for their rights, and promoting gender equality in the workplace.

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In India, several Trade Unions have been actively involved in addressing women workers’ concerns.

1. Wage Equality: Trade Unions in India have campaigned for equal pay for equal work, aiming to eliminate gender-based wage gaps. By negotiating with employers and participating in policy discussions, these unions strive to ensure fair compensation for women workers.
2. Workplace Discrimination: Trade Unions work towards eliminating discrimination and harassment in the workplace. They often provide a platform for women to voice their concerns, ensuring that issues like discrimination, bias, and unsafe working conditions are addressed collectively.
3. Maternity Benefits: Advocacy by Trade Unions has been instrumental in securing improved maternity benefits for women workers. This includes extended maternity leave, better facilities for new mothers, and support for work-life balance.
4. Representation: Trade Unions actively push for increased representation of women in leadership roles within unions and the workplace. This helps in addressing women-specific issues more effectively and promotes a more inclusive work environment.
5. Legal Advocacy: Trade Unions engage in legal advocacy to ensure that existing labor laws and regulations are gender-sensitive. They may also campaign for new legislation that specifically addresses issues faced by women workers.

For example, the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) in India has been a prominent Trade Union that focuses on informal women workers, including those in agriculture and domestic work. SEWA has successfully advocated for better working conditions, social security, and legal rights for its members.

Overall, Trade Unions in India play a vital role in advancing the rights of women workers by addressing systemic issues, negotiating with employers, and contributing to policy changes that promote gender equality in the workforce.