Please find below a report from the CCC Tamil Nadu taskforce. And of course we wish you all lots of strength, luck and happiness in the new year!!

A two day workshop on conceptual orientation to Clean Clothes Campaign of Tamil Nadu was organised by SAVE in Chennai on 29 and 30 November 2002 with a view to discuss and form a network among NGOs and trade unions at National and International level to promote ILO fundamental principles to protect the rights of workers. The workshop focused on labour standards and codes of conduct.

The workshop brought together 62 participants from NGOs, Trade Unions, Consumer Forums, Academicsand Lawyers. Ms.Jantien Meijer from the International Secretariat of CCC participated. The workshop was inaugurated in the Indian traditional way of lighting the lamp by the Chief guest Fr.Dr.Kurian Thomas and Ms.Jantien Meijer unveiled the workshop banner. Mr.A.Aloysius, the Director of SAVE as well as the Convener of Tamil Nadu -CCC Task Force, welcomed the participants and Mr.Alexander from Task Force gave an introduction to the workshop. The workshop had four key note addresses along with four panel sessions. Every panel had representatives from trade unions and NGOs. There were open forums and group discussion to facilitate the participants to share their experiences. Each presentation in the sessions concentrated on a specific topic, in order to bring conceptual clarity among the participants.

Ms. Jantien Meijer shared on the "CCC Global and Local contexts". The speaker clarified the function of CCC in Netherlands and its International operation. The international campaign coalition was explained. At the International level CCC takes on the challenges of defending workers rights globally and the challenge to address the phenomenon of constant relocation. The speakeralso shared the International interventions by CCC as well as the future focus. Mr.Prithvi Raj highlighted the'ILO perspectives'. More emphasis was given to resolutions on the freedom of association and collective bargaining as they are vital for every worker. The report of the second labour commission was critically seen as infringing the rights of the workers. Dr.N.Kala from the Mother Teresa University brought out the "Gender issues in textile and garment industries." The address was based on the research undertaken in the textile belts of Salem, Erode and Coimbatore and in Export processing zones. The plight of women in these industries was expressed by the speaker. Comrade Chandrasekar of CITU addressed on "Indian labour Laws and its grass root level application". The speaker indicated the defunct and inadequate mechanisms in the country. The tardy implementation of labour laws and lack of awareness are the two main reasons for the absence of collectivebargaining.

The group discussion brought out the key areas of concern faced by the workers in garment and textile industries.The group also brought out strategies of intervention to counter these issues and the possible role of the government in the process. An action plan was evolved for the coming year that included capacity building trainings, learning and sharing visits, factfindings, policy advocacy and publication of news letter.

The participants decided that the Task Force meet again before Jan 31 2003 and submit the action plan. It was decided that SAVE will continue to play as the role of co-ordinating body for logistics and official communication among the members. During the workshop the participants have shared that the issues related to freedom of association, collective bargaining, forced labour, child labour, gender and other discrimination, concept of living wage, decent working
condition etc. The workshop enabled the participants to initiate measures to protect the workers rights in textile and garment industries by promoting ILO fundamental principles among the government bodies responsible for protection of workers rights.

The workshop came to a closure with a vote of thanks from Mr.Irudayam, Coordinator of CCC.