Irikkal Samaram: Kerala Textile Shop Women Workers’ Struggle for their Right to Sit

Irikkal Samaram: Kerala Textile Shop Women Workers’ Struggle for their Right to Sit

The Onam festival was in full swing. In a textile shop in Kozhikode (the State of Kerala, India), Anitha, a sales assistant, was busy catering to the ever-growing customers. Her feet were hurting. She had not sat or even taken a toilet break the entire day. Maybe Almighty listened to her silent plight. The customers before her got busy discussing the fabrics and patterns between themselves. Anitha snatched the moment to lean against a wall, giving rest to her tired self. Not for long, though. Within minutes a floor manager accosted her and reprimanded her for idling away. To add insult to the injury, her monthly pay was deducted by `100/-............

“We can’t use the lifts either. All customers pay on the ground floor for their purchases, and we have to accompany them; so we are up and down the stairs all day. A few times, when we did use the lift, customers complained about having to share it with us,” said Wilson............

Helplessness Abound

The working conditions for the women employees in these textile shops were harsh. The employers forbade their staff from sitting during the work hours. Leaning against the wall was also frowned upon and invited a pay cut. The lunchtime was limited to thirty minutes with washroom breaks limited to twice a day. Even conversation between colleagues was disallowed and could attract a pay cut if noticed. Worse, the employees are continuously monitored using CCTV cameras...........

The Unlikely Messiah

Viji Palithodi used to work as a tailor in a shop at S. M. Street in Kozhikode. Curious by nature, she was stunned one day upon witnessing a long queue of women workers of the Street waiting to urinate. She recalled, “There was a toilet in my building. But I came to know that there are many shops which do not have toilets. The women in the queue were crying while explaining their plight................

Post this victory, the women workers began to approach her with their problems. One such issue was concerned with the saleswomen who were denied sitting facilities while they worked . Her ‘Penkootu’ initiated the ‘Irikkal Samaram’ (sitting protest), in which the women protested by sitting with chairs on their heads. The unique struggle continued for many years, aided in between by the formation of the Asanghatitha Meghala Thozhilali Union (AMTU) in 2014, a registered union led by Viji for unorganized workers. One of the most significant events of the struggle is the 100 days strike in the year 2015 that was led by six women workers in Thrissur against their employer - the Kalyan Sarees. These six women, with no prior experience of such activism, captured the imagination of the State. ................

The Way Forward

“We now have more stools in the shop than we really need,” observes a saleswoman at a prominent textile shop in Kannur. Post the amendment of the law, officials from the labor department are ensuring state-wide compliance with the law. For example, a district labor enforcement officer stated that his team inspected 31 shops, comprising of textile shops and jewelers, across Kasargod and Kanhangad towns. While all the shops appeared to have facilities for employees to sit, yet these were found to be inadequate in some shops.. ................

Assignment Questions

I. Why were the women in the textile shop exposed to such inhuman behavior?
II. ........
III. ................

Irikkal Samaram: Kerala Textile Shop Women Workers’ Struggle for their Right to Sit

Synopsis

The case describes the struggle of the Kerala Textile shop women workers against their employers for their right to sit. Forced to stand for long hours with little access to washrooms, the women in the textile shops suffered from various health challenges. Added to that, they were ‘policed’ by the employers for any observed deviations and subjected to a wage cut. Consequently, the women rose in protest against their employer. This case is discussed from various theoretical perspectives, such as sociocultural theory, organizational theory, conservation of resources theory, and mobilization theory of industrial relations. These assist in comprehending the described situation and understand the reasons behind the actions of the women. Moreover, the case promises to serve as a ready educational material for limiting unionization of workers and their ensuing struggle.

Prerequisite Conceptual Understanding/Before the Classroom Exercise/ Reading

The participants can engage in a better discussion if they know the following concepts.

1. Sexual harassment Suggested reference: Pina, A. & Gannon, T. A. & Saunders, B. (2009). An overview of the literature on sexual harassment: Perpetrator, theory, and treatment issues. Aggression & Violent Behavior, 14(2): 126 – 138

2. Conservation of Resources (COR) Theory Suggested reference: Hobfoll, S. E. (1989). Conservation of Resources. A new attempt at conceptualizing stress. The American Psychologist, 44 (3): 513–524

3. Mobilization Theory Suggested reference: Kelly J, (1998). Rethinking Industrial Relations. Mobilization, Collectivism and Long Waves. London: Routledge

Additional Reading(s)

Johnson, N. B. & Jarley, B. (2004). Justice and union participation: an extension and test of mobilization theory. British Journal of Industrial Relations, 42(3): 543 – 562

[Note: The paper summarizes the mobilization theory].

I utilized all the above references in authoring this teaching note.

Case Positioning and Setting

Industrial Relations, Human Resource Management, Sexual Harassment

Assignment Questions

I. Why were the women in the textile shop exposed to such inhuman behavior?

II...........

III...........

Preamble to the Case Analysis

I have provided that under the “Broad discussion plan” after every assignment question below.

Case Analysis

I. Why were the women in the textile shops exposed to such inhuman behavior?

Broad Discussion Plan

Through this question, the instructor would ask the class on the reasons behind such behavior towards the women workforce. The instructor may posit this question to male and female participants in the class. The instructor must document their responses on the board separately and highlight the gendered nature of the thought. ..............

Wrapping Up / Debriefing

The instructor may ask the participants to author a personal behavior note (not more than three points) that details their commitment to treating other people in their team or otherwise............

Exhibits

Exhibit (TN)-I: Classroom Discussion Dashboard

Exhibit (TN)-II: Conservation of Resource Theory

Exhibit (TN)-III: Mobilization Theory Framework of Industrial Relations