Legal Officer
Organisational Profile
The Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA) is an Asian labour-led global labour and social alliance across garment-producing countries in Asia and consumer regions of USA and Europe. Founded in 2007, AFWA aims to build regional unity among Asian garment unions to overcome the limitations of country-based struggles in global production networks and holds global fashion brands accountable. AFWA’s work involves engaging, responsive, fast-moving and creative campaigning to tackle poverty level wages and gender-based violence in the industry, and advocate for living wages and violence-free workplaces for garment workers, who are mostly women, in the global garment industry. It unites labor, social and human rights organisations nationally and regionally in Asia and builds strategic alliances globally.
Job role
AFWA is looking for a dynamic lawyer to fill the position of Legal Officer. They will work with diverse network partners, alliances, and coalitions in Asia, provide legal strategy to impactful campaigns, draft and coordinate legal complaints before international fora, and coordinate AFWA’s pan-Asia labour law network.
Responsibilities
● Provide legal strategy and recommendations to AFWA’s campaign plans globally and across Asia.
● Draft and coordinate filings complaints on behalf of AFWA’s partners using ILO mechanisms, OECD etc.
● Draft and coordinate filings of labour cases on behalf of AFWA’s Indian partners before Indian Labour Courts.
● Prepare case briefs, maintain meticulous record of court proceedings and liase with AFWA’s lawyers across Asia.
● Expand and coordinate AFWA’s growing pan-Asia Labour Lawyer Network.
● Lead fact-findings, including conducting interviews with stakeholders, documenting abuses and writing high-quality reports within tight deadlines.
Qualifications
● A bachelor’s degree in law. LLM in international law or labour law preferred.
● 1-2 years work experience with a workers-rights NGO or litigation chamber. Experience in labour law litigation preferred.
● Knowledge and experience in international fora.
● Sound knowledge in multilateral fora including the OECD Guidelines, ILO Mechanisms and Due Diligence Legislations and other complaint mechanisms related to labour and corporate accountability.
● Sound knowledge of the Indian legal system, particularly labour laws.
● Effective legal research skills.
● Excellent written and oral communication skills in English. Knowledge of Kannada and/or Tamil preferred.
● Good understanding of labour rights and economic justice in a global context.
● Ability to be flexible and work proactively and reactively in a fast-paced environment.
● Experience in writing on labour rights and knowledge of garment industry, a plus.
● Comfortable working independently and as part of a small team.
Our values and commitment to safeguarding: AFWA is committed to preventing any type of unwanted behaviour at work including sexual harassment, exploitation and abuse, lack of integrity and financial misconduct; and committed to promoting the welfare of of all of whom AFWA engages with.
Location: India (with hybrid working)
Hours: 40 hours per week
Start date: Immediate
How to apply: Please send your up to date CV and a covering letter explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile to contact@asia.floorwage.org