Working Life: Globalisation and us

As the World Social Forum gathers in bombay in January, Transport workers in the city explain how global economic trends affect them..

With business for Indian Railways going down, it’s getting tougher at the workplace – there is a recruitment ban and workload has increased.

Unions have definitely tried to respond, otherwise Indian Railways would have been privatised by now. What is missing however is education down the line about the World Trade Organisation, multinational companies, market economics, and what this game of globalisation is all about. This would improve union mobilisation and give meaning to the resistance we put up.
Abhishek Bhargava, 32, Mahalaxmi Stores Department, Western Railway

The advent of technology and improved working standards are the positive aspects of globalisation, whereas reducing manpower and lack of future job opportunities are two negative aspects. We have the same manpower in our department as we had in 1994, yet we have maintained high productivity levels. Everyone in Air India will have to give a 101 per cent effort, if our organisation is to compete and survive.

Our union is on the right track. There is no need to privatise Air India. Other innovative ways have to be worked out. You just can’t throw people out of jobs to make profits.
Prashant Narayan, 34, Service Engineer, Air India

Developed countries capturing markets for their goods and services in every nook of the world – that’s globalisation, as I understand it.

The World Bank defines our Railway Printing Press as a non-core activity. So one fine morning it was decided to outsource the timetable printing job. We resisted and fought, and jobs at all the nine railway printing presses have been saved, for the time being. Today we have no overtime, no incentives, but we are determined to save our jobs. Trade unions are not doing as much as they should. The organised sector represents hardly eight per cent of the workforce. We manage small achievements but the larger picture is gloomy.
Vikas R Gupte, 41, Proof Reader, Mahalaxmi Printing Press, Western Railway

In 1995-96 we had a cargo output of 150 tonnes per shift. This has increased to 400 tonnes per shift, yet our wages have gone down and the piece rate law is often flouted. Workers by and large are not very aware or educated and expect the union to do everything.

What is needed is education – information to the workers on what the union is doing, what it proposes to do and what should be the way ahead.
Mohammad Ismail Mohammad Sharif, 35, Senior Worker, Mumbai Port Trust

Our money is going out, our goods are rotting and unemployment is increasing – mechanisation is replacing manpower.

Work pressure has increased. I work 12 hours per day and only one or two hours overtime is paid. These days, even in the case of absence due to sickness, we are charge-sheeted. Our union is trying its best but trade union unity is lacking and hence we fail in many of our fights.
Nilesh Narvekar, 25, Conductor, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation

Employers are increasingly adopting the “least cost” option, even if this affects quality. Earlier vessels were sent to dry dock for repairs, now the crew is made to undertake most of the repairs. Then we have direct recruits (on cheap rates) who do not know the work, but we have to get it done somehow and answer the chief officer.

Unions are trying to deal with the ill effects of globalisation, but the new generation seaman is not union-friendly and generally visits the union only when he is in trouble.
Suresh Solanki, 28, Bosun, Dockendale Shipping Company

India’s economy is not developing – its foods have no market, its money is being siphoned off. Foreign services and products have only fuelled insatiable consumerism, not self sufficiency. The multinational companies, with no longterm commitment, are prospering. Where is the so called level playing field?

My father, a port worker, fought alongside the union in the 1950s’ struggle against casualisation. Today the industry is disintegrating and the casualisation of workers has started again.
D. Subramanyam, 36, Labour Supervisor, Mumbai Port Trust

Many of our jobs have been out- sourced – systems, aircraft cleaning, reservations, catering and so on. Our services are constantly being compared with those of the private sector airlines.

The unions are clueless. Most of the present leaders worked in a protected environment. Today when everything is opening up, they can’t explain things to the rank and file. Instead of simply opposing the changes, it would be better to understand them and then prepare ourselves to face reality.
Girish Mumgain, 35, Traffic Superintendent, Indian Airlines

The staff complement is being reduced. Settled staff are being transferred. Women employees are being transferred to locations 150 kms away. You just have to accept it or resign and go.

Changes in industrial and labour laws are weakening the capacity of unions to fight.
Mahesh B Jadhav, 30, Traffic Controller, Mumbai Central Depot, Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation

Interviews by Sangam Tripathy.