On May Day, a section of women working at garment units near the temple city took part in a campaign to raise awareness of their basic needs, particularly their living wages and working conditions, here on Wednesday.

The campaign, organised by Justice Shivaraj V. Patil Foundation, Action Aid and John Lewis Foundation, saw speakers talking about the need to increase legal awareness among garment workers.

Two representatives of the community — Panchavarnam, president of Elumalai Ulaikkum Pen Thozhilalargal Muneytra Sangam and Aasaikani of Karupatti Ulaikkum Pen Thozhilalargal Muneytra Sangam — spoke about the injustices faced by women garment workers.

Elaborating on their problems, they said the workers often did not get proper breaks, worked over eight hours and were paid a meager salary.

Discussions extended to the disparity in wages between men and women and facilities for childcare.

Other speakers including District President of CITU K. Aravinthan, State Convenor of Working Women Co-ordination Committee M. Mahalakshmi and Secretary and Sub-Judge, Madurai District Legal Services Authority, T. Panneer Selvam, elaborated on the problematic approach of garment mill owners who enticed young women to work under ‘Sumangali’ Scheme.

Ms. Mahalakshmi said mothers often sent their daughters to work at the poorly maintained mills because of the promise of bulk money at the end of three years, rest days and food thrice a day.

She referred to the women as poralis or fighters who must work against an oppressive system that continued to work with a patriarchal stronghold. “May Day has been created so that workers who struggle on all 365 days get some time off to gain strength. It is not for the sake of enjoyment. It is for workers to prepare for the strenuous days that follow,” she said.

Mr. Panneer Selvam charted the course of industrial revolution and explained the context of May Day. He said employees must find a way to become an employer so that they could exercise their rights, provide better working conditions for their workers and work towards creating an equal footing.

“There is a need to stress on living wage — the amount necessary to lead a comfortable lifestyle — instead of minimum wage,” he said.

Mr. Panneer Selvam and S. Selva Gomathi, managing trustee, Justice Shivaraj V. Patil Foundation, insisted that the minimum wage be increased to ₹18,000 per month.

“They better work in an atmosphere and dignity at workplace. The workplace must also safeguard them from sexual harassment,” Ms. Selva Gomathi said.

She also highlighted a situation where a garment mill with 1,000 workers had only five bathrooms which were maintained poorly.

B. Thirumalai, senior journalist, said 90% of women who worked did not get paid. Education was a necessity, he added.