Join us this International Workers’ Day to call for #WorkersRights4All

Murugesh, agricultural worker, India

I am a landless agricultural workers in Andhra Pradesh, India. I earn less than 3 US dollars per day through the National employment Guarantee Scheme called Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The scheme provides for 100 days of guaranteed employment in rural areas. I would like to own my own land and become a farmer. Around 2 acres of land with a sufficient water supply will do. With a farm of my own, I would be financially more stable, would produce food for my family and would not have to migrate to city to find work. My family would not have to go to sleep with empty stomachs, as is the situation most days. I could work on my field, employ workers—whom I would pay better wages than what I currently receive. With my land as an asset, I could also have access to bank loans and financing in case of health emergencies and to also improve my farm. I have two daughters who could get married and live a better life.

Allan, food delivery driver, Philippines

My name is Allan and I am a food app delivery driver in the Philippines. The one thing I would change is to have medical and accident Insurance. 

My job involves driving around the city and every day I face a high risk of getting into an accident on my journey to deliver food from one point to another. Having insurance would be a big help and go a long way to making me and my family feel secure while I am out doing this delivery job.

Mercy, construction safety officer, Philippines

My name is Mercy and I work in construction as a safety officer in the Philippines.
 I am the leader and member of the Association of Women Workers in the Construction Industry and National Union of Building and Construction Workers. I want to change the way construction workers are hired here in the Philippines. At the end of the contract, which is every five months, it is especially difficult for me to be find opportunities and regular work. Ending this unfair contractors’ system, with the help and support of my organization's continued advocacy and campaign efforts, will change the way women (like me) are treated in the construction industry.

Tania, textile worker, Pakistan

The first thing I would like to change is to include a break in the 8 hour workday—there should be at least one break in the middle. Such a long working day really affects the health of the worker. I believe that if the workers are healthy, we can perform better and be more productive at work. The salary for an 8-hour working day is not enough. At the end of the month, I barely have any savings. I wish the salary was enough so that I would never have to ask for money from family members or take a loan from someone else. We should be able to work in an environment free of harassment towards working women. If we are given access to reasonable wages and social security is provided—according to the labour laws—then I will be able to improve my standard of living and provide a better future not just for me but for my entire family as well.

Nazira, brick kiln worker, Pakistan

I am a brick kiln worker turned activist. I have worked as a brick kiln worker my entire life. Since hearing about the Labour Qaoumi Movement (LQM) in 2013, I have participated in numerous events aimed at ensuring fairer wages, access to basic hygiene, and medical facilities for female brick kiln workers. The one thing I want to change in my work is to have access to basic facilities at work. The women workers including me have suffered a lot of issues in the brick kilns due to no toilets available for women. If I could change my working conditions and raise my voice, so many women like me can also do the same. The years-long struggle of mine should serve as an example for the other working women just like me. I am not educated nor have I had any training in leadership. However, I am the first female member of the district vigilance committee Faisalabad. If there are any complaints regarding the exploitation of the workers or if they are not provided with social security and basic facilities, I raise up their issues to the authorities immediately.

Pa Pa Win, dyer, Myanmar

My name is Pa Pa Win. I am from Myanmar and I am a dyer in the textile sector.

I currently earn 4800 kyat per day [3 US dollars]  which is not enough to cover my living expenses. I wish my wage would rise at least to 5600 kyat [4 US dollars].

Laraib, textile worker, Pakistan

The one thing I want to change currently in my job is the daily working hours—they are too long without a single break. There should be breaks in an 8-hour work day, as well as one day off a week. The second thing I would want to change is to have better working conditions for women. The current minimum wage is a joke—it should be revised—and a living wage should be provided to the workers so that in times of need workers can use the money they’ve been able to save up, rather than taking loans. The equality of the wages between men and women is also another issue. I believe that the opportunities for growth, development, and wage increases should be equal for both genders. All workers should be provided with training and education opportunities to develop their skills. Having access to these basic things at work would mean a better quality of life for women just like me. Everyone should be able to work in an environment where we are treated equally and fairly, so that we would not just work, but grow as human beings.

Hue, textile worker, Viet Nam

My name is Hue. I am from Viet Nam and I work in the textile industry. I wish I had a stable income, so I can cover my daily expenses and plan for the future.