BWI/FNV SKILLS TRAINING FOR WOMEN CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

Transcription

1 BWI/FNV SKILLS TRAINING FOR WOMEN CONSTRUCTION WORKERS BACKGROUND In India women workers constitute a major portion in the work force of the construction industry. Sad to say they remain not only unorganized but also unskilled as compared to male construction workers, who by virtue of their gender preference have progressed ahead in their career from an unskilled worker to a skilled one, specifically as a mason, carpenter, welder and electrician. While on the other hand women construction workers start as unskilled helpers and remain unskilled throughout their life and as a result are victims of gender discrimination. Traditions, culture and customs along with the attitude of society towards women have placed women workers at a great disadvantage. In addition to this, they are also unorganized and dependent on their husbands without any empowerment socially and economically. Unfortunately, in this system, women workers do not have an opportunity to receive any type of skills training which has left them stagnant without any chance of promotion of upgrade of any sort in their job. Most of the time, based on the mistaken notion that women are incapable of doing heavy or rough work, women workers loose out miserably. This type of attitude has left the women workers at the bottom of the rung of skills in the industry with no avenues of promotion or higher wages for them. Construction workers in general have no access to formal training in the construction industry and they upgrade their skills through practice or by observing and working under skilled masons or carpenters etc. As a result of women being only engaged in soft skills, the gap between the skilled male workers and unskilled women workers has placed them in a position of less empowerment economically and socially. This has worked against the advancement and empowerment of women workers.only 11% of the construction workers in India are formally skilled with a huge mass of unskilled workers. The BWI foresaw a threat to their existence and livelihood as a result of globalization and felt an urgent need to provide women workers the necessary skills to enable them to sustain their jobs and face competition. BWI therefore committed to the welfare and development of construction workers and found it necessary to address this issue. A series of skills training programmes were initiated for the women construction workers in Tamil Nadu. It is a 10 day programme where the last two days are dedicated to gender awareness and concepts of gender mainstreaming. The BWI established a working arrangement with the Builders Association of India (BAI) through TCWF (TamilNadu Construction Workers Federation) a merger of 7 affiliates of Tamil Nadu) who came forward and agreed to provide skills training to construction women workers in Tamil Nadu. Accordingly, BWI initiated a skill training package exclusively for women. This training started with training on painting houses. The training is on mixing of colours, brush strokes and proper techniques of painting. 1

2 There is also a positive move to go further by introducing training in other skills such as plumbing, electric wiring, masonary, carpentry and welding. This training will enable women to creep into what is known as areas for men only - which are in fact reserved for only men and thereby upgrade the status of women or put at par with men. This training initiatives will not only boost the confidence in women construction workers but also assist them to promote and uplift themselves in their jobs. To date, BWI has implemented four training sessions on house painting for construction women workers through TCWF, a federation of seven BWI Affiliated unions in Tamil Nadu, in collaboration with BAI in Chennai. In these sessions 56 women workers have been trained in house painting. Though the first session met with initial resistance, the impact of the training motivated the women workers to such an extent that in the third training the number of women volunteers increased beyond expectation. IMPACT OF THE TRAINING The training has provided participants with necessary skills in house painting and also raised their confidence level to enable them to continue in their jobs and earn extra money. There is perceptible improvement in the wages and lifestyle of women workers who have gone through this type of training. This training has also made them realize the importance of OHS in construction operations with special reference to painting. As a result of the training the trained women workers have now started mixing paints using a ladle or a thick rod and they have also started using PPEs such as gloves and masks etc. positively. The training has no doubt given them an opportunity to understand not only the theoretical aspect of the job, but also to put it into practice what they have learnt at their workplace. In fact, this training has also proved to society that women are equally competent to handle skilled jobs in the construction sector and that if women are given proper training and opportunity they can excel at any skilled work. Besides addressing gender concerns, the training has also empowered the women both through assured wages and formal organization. At the same time, the training is also an eye opener to the women who have been hesitant in coming forward to participate and acquire the necessary skills to enhance their social and economic status in society. Attending the training has also made them realize that there is a need to belong to an organization to avail such an opportunity, otherwise they would not have a chance to go through the training. At the end of each of the training, a two day gender sensitivity session is also included in the programme to impart the concept of gender equality so they can understand the concepts of gender equality. FEEDBACK FROM TRAINEES The trainees feel that it is a prestigious training as it was organized in collaboration with the Building Association of India (BAI) which is a well know association in the construction sector. If not for the continued efforts of BWI and TCWF (Tamil Nadu Construction Workers Federation (TCWF) one could hardly dream of participating in 2

3 such a training specially in India. The BAI has been systematically organizing the training utilizing their experienced Trainers. The training starts with one hour of theory class followed by practical classes. Though the duration of the training seems short, it it is able to provides the trainees with the additional skills encouraging them to continue working. At the same time, it instills confidence and motivates them to improve them further. The study material provided by BWI during the training gives an insight to various nuances involved in the operation of painting. Basic and simple materials which is both in written and picture form is also distributed to the participants so that they understand the concept of gender equality and can refer to the notes for further clarity. CHALLENGES The main challenge for these women workers comes from the traditionally bound society which holds the view that skilled jobs are meant for men only. The society is yet to recognize and accept women for skilled jobs. The credit goes to the BWI who has taken a bold step in this direction. The area for training is too vast to be covered in a short period of time and there needs to be long term plan for different skills in various stages or phases to be imparted to the women workers. The Construction Workers Welfare Board can also be utilized for organising more full time training programmes through joining and collaborating with BAI and some unions can provide the necessary infrastructure for the training. ROLE OF TRADE UNIONS The trade unions in their negotiation with the employers and contractors should insist upon providing necessary basic training for both men and women workers. They should insist on giving preference to women workers in providing skilled jobs at par with men, and with equal wages. They should extend all cooperation with the employers and contractors besides the government and welfare board for providing skill training to women workers. The trade unions have a great role in motivating women workers to come forward for skill training by educating them on the need for skill training in this competitive era of mechanization. They should also mobilize resources to organize their own training programmes on soft skills for women. Trade unions should negotiate with BAI and other National Institutes to organize skill training for women workers in the construction sector and also include OHS in such trainings. Trade union training programmes should not only be skills oriented but also rights orientated. 3

4 BUILDING AND WOOD WORKERS INTERNATIONAL (BWI) NON TRADITIONAL SKILLS TRAINING ON HOUSE PAINTING FOR WOMEN CONSTRUCTION WORKERS In Collaboration with (BAI) BUILDERS ASSOCIATION OF INDIA PROGRAMME Day Morning Session Post Lunch Session Hrs Welcome, Objectives and Overview of Training, Orientation. 1 Arrival of Participants/Trainees 2 Yoga & discipline Preparation of Surfaces for Painting Wood, Concrete, Cement, Metal etc. 3 Yoga & discipline Painting Various Types of Paints, Sequence of Coating System, Failures and remedies Hrs Painting Technology What, Purpose, History, Components etc. Surface Filling Why, Mixing of Paste (Patty) Types of Patty. Tools and Equipments Types of Brushes, Rollers, Spray, Scaffold, Ladders etc. 4 Yoga & discipline Colours, Mixing of Paints OHS Issues in Painting PPEs 5 Yoga & discipline Practical Surface Cleaning Practical -Surface Filling with Paste, (Patty) 6 Yoga & discipline Practical Painting Closing of Painting Training 7 Exposure to Field Working in BAI Exposure to Field Working in Construction Sites BAI Construction Sites 8 - Do - Do - 9 Gender Awareness Seminar Objectives, Women Workers Situation in BWI Sectors, Difference Between Gender and Sex. 10 Strategies for Gender Mainstreaming, ILO and its Conventions for Women Workers. Gender Mainstreaming, Indicators of Gender Mainstreaming/Equality Legislations Relating to women Workers, Evaluation, Closing. This type of specific skills training which BWI has called Non Traditional Skills Training was initiated in Philippines, followed by India and now BWI is planning to organize skills training in Cambodia as well. In Philippines, presently there is painting and carpentary courses while in India BWI has concentrated on Painting only. Women are also 4

5 requesting for training on plumbing, electrical work (wiring, fixing fuses and house hold electric appliances) and masonery. BWI is seriously working towards adding on such courses in the future. 5