SEWA Advocates for women workers at International Labour Conference in Geneva
Who: SEWA
What: A SEWA delegation visited Geneva from June 3 to 14, 2024, for the International Labour Conference (ILC) organised by the ILO.
The Grieg Foundation, in collaboration with Grieg Green, is proud to support a transformative project led by the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) in Bhavnagar, India. This initiative, titled "Women Workers in Downstream Ship Recycling Industry," aims to empower and improve the lives of women working in the challenging environment of ship recycling.
A SEWA delegation visited Geneva from June 3 to 14, 2024, for the International Labour Conference (ILC) organised by the ILO.
Their main focus was advocating for the inclusion of caregivers in the informal economy under the Care Economy framework. SEWA emphasised the rights of women workers in the informal sector to access care services, particularly flexible childcare centres, which are linked to increased incomes.
Key discussions included the need for work, income, and social security for care workers. SEWA also raised awareness about the challenges faced by women in the downstream ship-breaking industry, particularly those from Bhavnagar, India.
These workers, who deal with ship waste, are often overlooked in international regulations like the Hong Kong Convention.
Meetings with ILO officials addressed the occupational hazards these women face and the importance of safety measures. SEWA highlighted a project improving awareness and safety among these workers, proposing their inclusion in the Hong Kong Convention and forming cooperatives for better economic independence.
Further discussions with ACTRAV and IndustriALL focused on the declining shipbreaking industry and climate change impacts. SEWA's initiatives in Bhavnagar were recognised, and plans for future collaboration were established to enhance the visibility and rights of these workers.
The SEWA delegation, including Manali Shah and Jyoti Macwan, successfully engaged stakeholders to advocate for the rights of women workers in the informal economy and shipbreaking sector.
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