Asanghaditha Mekhala Thozhilali Union
Asanghaditha Mekhala Thozhilali Union (AMTU) is a women’s trade union in Kerala. It has been registered as the state’s first all-women trade union. Kerala has a rich history of trade union movements and this is the first time a women’s trade union which had applied for registration has been recognized in the state on 30 January 2016.
The AMTU which means “Unorganised Sector Workers Union” has its genesis from a women’s grouping called “Penkoottu”. Penkootu came in to existence in 2009 and consists of women workers who are employed in various sectors. Occupations of the members are diverse and include tailors, sweepers, saleswoman, anganwadi workers, kudumbasree workers among others. This union now has over 10,000 members. The “right to pee” targeting the lack of toilet facilities to women workers in enterprises and shops was the first campaign of this movement. This campaign became successful and resulted in the construction of new toilets and renovation of the existing ones. Gradually the MTU was formed out of this.
Obstacles faced by the union in getting registration
The union was denied recognition several times in the past. In 2012, the registration of the organization was denied on technical grounds. In 2015, authorities rejected to recognize citing that it is impossible to define “unorganised sector” and therefore registration of a union in that name is not possible. Finally in 2016, the union got recognition.
Why there was a need for exclusive women trade union movement?
The continued neglect of issues concerning women by the mainstream organizations and male dominated trade unions prompted the formation of AMTU.
What are the activities and functions of AMTU?
AMTU has organized several public protests and strikes on behalf of women workers. The most prominent of these strikes includes such as the protests against street sexual harassment, Coupon Mall strike, Right to Sit strike (Irikkal Samaram) in front of Kalyan Sarees, the Community Development Organisers strike, etc. Irikkal Samaram fought against the discriminatory rules which mandated the salespersons in the textile stores to stand for longer hours for the whole day. Eventually, the protest led to the amendment of the Kerala Shops and Commercial Establishments Act, 1960.
The union works towards overcoming structural barriers and patriarchal prejudices which are against women and wants full recognition of women’s rights.
