An update from Hamara Manch regarding the recent public meeting in the campus 2012-11-26

Dear Friends,

A public meeting was held on Saturday, Nov. 24, in wake of the two worker deaths at construction sites within a month, which caused a sense of anguish and outrage within the campus community. These incidents also raised serious questions regarding not just safety practices at construction sites on campus, but also many systemic issues regarding the working conditions of contract workers at IITK. Over 125 people attended the meeting, including 80-90 workers (those currently working in various places across the institute, as well as several who are no longer employed within IITK since they have been unfairly fired from their jobs), 15-20 students, and about 10 faculty members.

Please find enclosed with this email a detailed summary of the discussions that took place during this meeting. In addition, a report on Hamara Manch's interaction with the co-workers of Shri Ram Saran (the worker who died on Nov. 21), which reveals the dismal working conditions of migrant workers on campus, is also attached. Please go through these documents, and share them with others who you think may be interested.

Saturday's meeting concluded with a commitment on the part of all present to take the issues raised during the discussion further through concrete collective action. This public meeting was an inspiring example of community solidarity across constituencies, and of the collective will to ensure safe and dignified working conditions for all contract workers on campus. Let us take this initiative further; together we CAN make a difference!

Hamara Manch

Attachments: Public Meeting on worker safety Nov 24 2012.pdf, Hamara Manch Ramki workers.pdf