Labour Sheroes

From Football Fields to Factory Floors: Ratna's Fight for Dignity and Justice in the Workplace

By Ratna Tigga

Growing up in Bangladesh, Ratna faced the constant struggle of poverty, which left an indelible mark on her childhood and education. Despite her passion for football and her dreams of playing for the national team, financial constraints and familial obligations forced her to put her aspirations on hold. Now, as a garment worker and a mother, Ratna continues to fight against workplace abuse and systemic issues within the industry, while holding onto the hope of one day making a difference in her community.

-

I am Ratna, a 29-year-old garment worker from Bangladesh. I grew up in my grandmother’s village home, where financial hardship was a constant companion. My father struggled with addiction and contributed very little to our family’s income, leaving my mother to carry the heavy burden of supporting us. Despite her relentless efforts, there was never enough money for the basics.

During my early years, I found comfort in playing with my aunt, who was the same age as me. But when I moved back to live with my parents, things did not get better. My mother enrolled me in school, but the stigma of poverty followed me. My classmates would exclude me because I wore worn-out clothes and didn’t have the school supplies, they did. This exclusion made me feel isolated and, at times, deeply sad.

In primary school, I joined the football team, and it quickly became my passion. The tournaments were the highlight of my youth days, and I dreamt of playing for the national team. Filled with energy and camaraderie, those were the happiest days of my life. I kept playing until I completed my secondary exams, holding onto that dream even as life threw more challenges my way.

After completing my secondary exams, my father abruptly stopped my studies, sending me to live with an aunt. But I was determined to continue my education. I convinced my aunt to allow me to attend college, promising to help with the household chores in return. However, despite my hard work, financial constraints were always a barrier.

When I needed 2,000 takas to register for my final exams, my aunt refused to help. She gave me only 100 takas and sent me back home. Eventually, my parents sold a goat to get the funds, but by then, my preparation for the exams had been inadequate, and I failed one subject. Looking back, I often reflect on how poverty and the constant struggle for resources prevented me from reaching my full potential.

In 2015, I got married and moved to Dhaka with my husband. I had heard that women could earn a decent living by working in garment factories, so I quickly found a job as a helper in one. My starting wage was 5,300 takas, which was barely enough to support us, especially since my husband was unemployed for the first year. I recall having only one dress, which I would wash every evening so I could wear it to work the next day.

Eventually, I persuaded the factory’s general manager to offer my husband a job. His employment improved our financial situation significantly, and we managed to live more comfortably.

One of the hardest aspects of my work has been dealing with abuse. From the moment I started, I faced verbal insults, including derogatory remarks about my parents, from line supervisors and managers. This treatment upset me deeply at first, but over time, I learned to stand up for myself and my fellow workers. Now, I actively support new workers, who are often the main targets of such abuse, and I advocate for a more respectful work environment.

Although there have been improvements, such as the elimination of physical punishment, I still believe that excessive production targets and demeaning language remain major issues that impact workers' mental health and personal lives.

I dream of a life beyond the garment industry. I often wish I had been able to continue my education, which might have allowed me to pursue a better job. Despite everything, I hold on to the hope of one day becoming a member of my village’s Union Council, where I would be able to support underprivileged individuals and contribute to my community.

The happiest moment of my life was the birth of my daughter, now six years old. My husband and I are united in our ambition to give her the best possible future, and we dream of her becoming a doctor or an engineer.

My story reflects the resilience and struggles of garment workers in Bangladesh. From overcoming financial hardship to fighting for justice in the workplace, I continue to push forward, striving for a better life for myself and my family. My journey highlights the systemic issues within the garment industry and the need to empower workers to pursue their dreams. I hope my story can inspire others to keep fighting for a better future.

-

Ratna’s story is a part of ‘Labour Sheroes,’ an initiative under the 16 Days of Activism campaign by Asia Floor Wage Alliance. Through this series, we share the stories of women garment workers from South and Southeast Asia who are breaking barriers, fighting against workplace violence and harassment, and leading the change for better working conditions in the global garment industry.

by Admin

Unbreakable: Anjana’s Fight for her Children’s Future

By Anjana

Anjana's life has been a tapestry of joy, hardship, and unwavering determination. Growing up in a village in Bangladesh, she cherished her childhood friendships and dreamed of becoming a doctor. However, a series of devastating events—from her father's financial ruin to her own battle with illness and forced marriage—reshaped her path. Now, as a garment worker and mother of two, Anjana faces daily challenges, from workplace mistreatment to religious discrimination. Yet, through it all, her love for her children and her determination to secure their future keep her fighting for a better life.

-

My name is Anjana, and I work as a garment worker. I grew up in a village with my family, and those were some of the happiest days of my life. I can still picture myself walking to school with my friends and spending the rest of the day playing without a care in the world. One of my closest friends from those days is Subarna.

When I was five, Subarna and I would play with dolls every day. Even now, whenever I visit my village, meeting Subarna is always a priority. She holds a special place in my heart, right alongside my family, as one of the most cherished people in my life.

During my childhood, my father earned well, and we never had to worry about money. Life felt secure and happy. But everything changed when I was in the sixth grade. I had gone to stay at my sister's house for a few days, and when I returned, I was devastated to learn that Subarna, my closest childhood friend, had been forced into child marriage by her parents in exchange for money. Just a few days after her wedding, Subarna confided in me that her husband was abusive and treated her poorly. Every time we spoke, she would break down in tears, and I felt completely powerless to support her.

As a child, I dreamt of becoming a doctor. My father, a businessman in the city, worked hard to support my education and that of my siblings. But our lives took a devastating turn when a fire destroyed his shop, leaving our family in a severe financial crisis. Those were some of the darkest days we faced. With no means to continue, my father could no longer support our education, and I was forced to drop out of school after the sixth grade.

Determined to support my family, I planned to start earning as soon as I was old enough. But before I could, I fell seriously ill. A visit to the doctor revealed that I had a tumor in my stomach. Thankfully, the surgery to remove it was successful, but it brought its own challenges. People in the village began gossiping and making cruel remarks about me, which deeply shook my confidence.

Given the circumstances, my family decided to marry me off. After my wedding, I moved to Dhaka with my husband. Life at my in-laws' home was far from easy—they often mistreated me, and I had to endure constant hardships. My husband works as a daily wage laborer, and with his meager income, managing the household was incredibly difficult. Despite these challenges, I did everything I could to meet everyone's needs and keep the family going.

Today, I am a mother to two children—a 12-year-old daughter and a 6-year-old son. My life has been full of hardships, but my children are my source of hope and the reason I keep moving forward.

I often find myself realizing that in today’s economy, with prices constantly rising, it’s nearly impossible to support a family of four on a single income. However, since my children were young, I wasn’t able to take up any income-generating work for a long time. Unfortunately, my husband’s income no longer covered basic expenses like house rent, groceries, our children's education, and medical needs. With my children’s future in mind, I decided to take a job at a garment factory, where I’ve been working as a garment worker for the past year.

At first, I thought a garment factory would be an ideal workplace for women, but I soon realized it comes with its own set of challenges. Every day, I face new struggles at work. Like me, almost all the workers in our factory are mistreated. Senior officials, including the line chief and supervisors, often abuse us with foul language. If a worker makes even a small mistake or fails to meet the production target on time, they insult us in degrading ways, often making offensive remarks about our families. I find this behavior completely unacceptable.

At first, I thought about quitting the job because of the constant mistreatment. But when I considered the future of my son and daughter, I decided to stay and keep going for their sake.

When I first got the job at the garment factory, I was overjoyed. I believed it would be my chance to help support my husband and save for my children's future. Every day, I work hard and give my best to meet the production targets. But the constant mistreatment takes a toll on my motivation and leaves me feeling drained. Some days, it feels almost impossible to keep going, yet I endure, knowing that my children's future depends on it.

In addition to the mistreatment I face from management, I also encounter other challenges. Some of my colleagues discriminate against me simply because of my religion. They mock my eating habits, my attire, and my devotion to God. Some even avoid speaking to me altogether. Finding a place to live in Dhaka is also a struggle, as many landlords refuse to rent to us. These experiences often leave me feeling both sad and isolated.

Since starting this job, I haven’t been able to spend enough time with my children. Sometimes, when I feel upset, I unknowingly take it out on them. Although my husband and I work tirelessly, we have no savings or property. The only treasures we have are our children, for whom we are working relentlessly. We dream of saving enough to secure their future. My husband and I share a common dream: we want our daughter to become a doctor. Since I couldn't pursue my education or achieve my dream of becoming a doctor, I am determined to help her succeed and fulfill that dream.

Despite all the challenges, there have been moments of true happiness in my life. One of the happiest was when I became a mother to my daughter. Another was when I received my first salary from the garment factory. My children are now my biggest source of inspiration and strength. When I think of the people I hold dearest, it’s always my family and my childhood friend Subarna who come to mind.

Since my childhood, I have been constantly fighting to survive, and I will keep fighting for a better future—for myself and for my children. I am determined to see both my dreams and theirs come true, no matter the challenges that lie ahead.

-

Anjana’s story is a part of ‘Labour Sheroes,’ an initiative under the 16 Days of Activism campaign by Asia Floor Wage Alliance. Through this series, we share the stories of women garment workers from South and Southeast Asia who are breaking barriers, fighting against workplace violence and harassment, and leading the change for better working conditions in the global garment industry.

by Admin

Against All Odds: How Leakhena Fought Injustice at Home and Work

By Leakhena

Leakhena's story is a testament to the strength and resilience of women in the face of adversity. As a garment worker in Cambodia, she endured not only the grueling demands of her job but also the pain of a troubled marriage, the double burden of work women have to go through and the trauma of workplace harassment. Despite the challenges she faced, Leakhena refused to be silenced. Through her involvement with the union at her factory, she found the courage to stand up for her rights and advocate for other women. This is the story of her journey from oppression to empowerment, and the lessons she learned along the way.

-

I was married when I was 25 years old. After getting married, I moved in with my in-laws. Life was far from easy. After a long day working at the garment factory, I would still have to help my mother-in-law with housework. My days would start at 4 a.m., as I had to finish the house chores before heading to work. Even though I tried my best to be a good daughter-in-law, I never got the respect I deserved—not from my in-laws, not even from my husband.

When I had my first child, my husband began seeing another woman. Despite the pain, I stayed silent because of the expectations placed on women in society. But everything changed a year later when I joined the union at my factory. It opened my eyes to women’s rights and gave me the courage to advocate for other workers. However, my husband didn’t support my involvement in the union, and life continued to be a struggle.

When I became pregnant with my second child, my husband took up with yet another mistress. This time, I couldn’t stay silent. I decided to fight for justice and chose to divorce him. I knew what would happen if I took this step. Just as I had feared, my husband accused me of having an affair. People around me gossiped and spread lies.

Being a single mother of two was incredibly difficult. Financially, it was a constant battle, and my mental health suffered. But I knew I had to stay strong for my children. Every hardship became a lesson, shaping me into a stronger woman.

At work (Bowker factory), I faced harassment from a co-worker. One day, he followed me to the restroom and touched me inappropriately. I was furious and reported the incident to the admin officer at the factory. But they sided with him and dismissed my complaint. Shortly after, I attended a Safe Circle Training by AFWA, which reignited my determination. Armed with this newfound strength, I went back to the admin office and demanded that the man’s contract be terminated. When he harassed another woman, I encouraged her to join me in filing another complaint. Finally, the factory terminated his contract. I felt a sense of triumph when the case was resolved, but I won’t deny that it left me scarred. The harassment had been deeply traumatising, and I avoided people for fear of their judgment.

Through all this, I have learned how crucial it is for women, especially single mothers, to stand up and fight for justice. My hope is that all women, no matter where they are, find the strength to speak out. We are never alone in this fight.

Leakhena’s story is a part of ‘Labour Sheroes,’ an initiative under the 16 Days of Activism campaign by Asia Floor Wage Alliance. Through this series, we share the stories of women garment workers from South and Southeast Asia who are breaking barriers, fighting against workplace violence and harassment, and leading the change for better working conditions in the global garment industry.

by Admin

Lucy’s Long Road To Workplace Transformation In Indionesia’s Garment Factories

By Lucy

Growing up in a remote village in South Sumatra, Indonesia, Lucy faced poverty, loss, and the threat of sexual violence at a young age. Despite these challenges, Lucy found her way to the city, where she began working in a garment factory at 18. Over the next 24 years, she not only endured the grueling conditions and gender-based violence and harassment (GBVH) prevalent in the industry but also became a leader in the fight for workers' rights. This is her story, one of courage, perseverance, and the power of solidarity in the face of adversity.

I grew up in Nagasari Village, a remote village in South Sumatra, Indonesia. My family was poor, and I only finished elementary school. Even so, I still had a fun childhood. I often spent my time playing in the river, gardens, forests, and nature in general. My childhood can be described as the life of “Si Bolang,” the adventurer girl. Unfortunately, that didn’t last. At the age of 7, my mother died.

My father remarried, and my two younger siblings and I lived with our maternal grandfather. During a school holiday, I missed my father and stayed overnight at my stepmother's house. I was only 10 at the time, and during my stay, I was almost sexually assaulted twice by my step-uncle. I was really scared and couldn't do anything but stay silent. My life was in limbo, and I didn’t know what to do.

It was difficult to find a job with only an elementary school diploma. At 14, I worked as a babysitter for the child of an uncle who lived far away in the city. Getting married at a young age was still common where I grew up. By 18, my family tried to find me a groom, but I ran away from my grandfather's house to escape this process.

I heard that my cousin had returned from Jakarta, so I immediately met him and asked him to work at the factory where he worked. My hope was simple: to live a better life economically by becoming a factory worker. With my education level, my cousin’s friend, who worked in human resource development, helped me secure employment in a factory. Since then, I have worked in that factory for 24 years.

Factory work is difficult because it is based on very high production targets set by the company. There are also many cases of Gender-Based Violence and Harassment (GBVH) that occur, such as verbal violence. Almost every second, you can hear the foremen or superiors shouting. They scream at subordinates if mistakes are made, negatively impacting work and making production targets harder to meet.

Other forms of GBVH we experience in factories: 1 to 2 hours of unpaid overtime work, sometimes more. Menstrual leave (that only union administrators dare to take) is not equally accessible. Likewise, maternity and childbirth leave are difficult to obtain or not granted. A practice of extortion in the factory occurs, and gender-diverse friends are bullied because of their gender expressions (“tomboys”) by getting more workload than other women workers. When it's Friday, they’re asked why they don't do Friday prayers and so on.

GBVH is made worse by very short contract durations for contract workers. Work contracts are for 1 to 3 months, including “Daily Casual” work, which makes fellow workers remain silent. If they report and process the GBVH cases they experience, the workers are afraid of not being re-employed and being laid off because of their contract work status.

At 21 to 22, I had two operations for a tumour in my left breast. At 23, I decided to marry my partner, who also worked in the same factory. I tried to accept the struggles that came my way and be grateful for everything after getting married. I ignored the ups and downs of my marriage until my 15th year of marriage in 2017 when I received very painful news. I learned my father's younger brother had sexually assaulted my half-sister, and it lasted for 4 years since she was 10. My wound was gaping, and I recalled the incident when my step-uncle nearly sexually assaulted me. My trauma was so intense, and I was so angry that I couldn't control myself. I assisted my sister in her pursuit of justice.

Taking legal action for a rape case is difficult. Unfortunately, my good intentions were not supported by my husband, who brutally forbade me from assisting in the case. Arguing was unavoidable, and my husband threw me out of the house. I couldn’t bring anything, including my children—a daughter and a son.

In 2022, I filed for divorce and eventually got the certificate. I also slowly repaired my relationship with my children and mother-in-law, who cared for them. My daughter is now in college, financed by me, and my son is still in the third grade of junior high school.

All the difficulties I’ve faced do not make me linger in sadness or depression. My late mother inspires me. Of course, my children, current partner, and union friends are additional sources of inspiration. They are important people in my life besides myself. With them, I have become strong and can continue to fight. I believe every process will yield something positive, even though it’s sometimes not what we had hoped or expected.

GBVH in factories and outside of the workplace will never end if we do not fight back. Me, my sister, and my friends are victims and survivors of GBVH because we are women. To get justice for all the GBVH we experience, we dare to speak up. By speaking up, we slowly heal our wounds and reduce the burdens experienced by other victims and survivors.

Behind my courage is support from being in a union. We can fight for workers' rights by organising together with other members. Together, we achieved changing the status of contract workers to permanent workers. There was also a pregnant worker who reported that she was laid off and not given the right to maternity leave. We, the union, processed it together following the litigation process in handling cases and negotiated with the company management in writing. When we were not given the opportunity to negotiate, we submitted a Tripartite Sudisnaker mediation and campaigned together with the Perempuan Mahardhika network. Through our efforts, the worker got their right to maternity leave and was not laid off.

Through a union, we help resolve cases of sexual harassment, extortion, demanding maternity rights, wages, and other issues until a Collective Agreement and Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) are reached between workers or labour unions and the company. Part of our work is to produce regulations in the CBA article, which states: for pregnant women employees whose status is “contract work”, their employment contracts may not be terminated, and the right to maternity leave must be paid by the company unless the worker resigns, then the company is not obliged to fulfil her right to maternity leave.

Although there are still practices of unpaid overtime, difficulties in taking maternity leave for contract workers, menstrual leave, and other cases, through courage and struggle with the union, we have made many positive changes in the factory, such as improving working hours that are not arbitrary. The voice of workers is important in demanding worker rights, even though it’s not easy. Workers are hampered by the lack of job security and the difficulty of getting jobs.

Becoming a member and administrator of a union in a factory is one way to increase courage. Awareness through unions is also a source of strength when facing GBVH problems in the workplace. We have many opportunities through unions to increase our knowledge of human rights issues and labour law. These provisions allow my fellow workers and I to learn from each other and provide benefits to all. Strengthening each other as friends in the union, not limiting ourselves to gaining new knowledge, continuing to influence and persuade others, and organising are my ways to survive and continue moving forward in the line of struggle.

My life story is full of challenges, but nothing is easy, and even being lazy requires effort. I always want to be lazy, maybe because there are too many challenges in my life, but I’ve never had the time to do that. All these stories of challenges and what has happened in my life are very good lessons for me, and my achievements make me a free woman. Daring to go out, organising, learning, speaking up, processing, and fighting together is the right way. My dream for the future is that everything will be better than before, and I hope for equality and prosperity for all human beings.

* Name has been changed to protect her identity.

Lucy is a garment worker from Indonesia. Her story is part of ‘Labour Sheroes,’ an initiative under the 16 Days of Activism campaign by Asia Floor Wage Alliance. Through this series, we share the stories of women garment workers from South and Southeast Asia who are breaking barriers, fighting against workplace violence and harassment, and leading the change for better working conditions in the global garment industry.

by Admin

Yashodha's Dream: Establishing a Garment Workers' Union and Women's Cooperative Society

By Yashodha PH

I was born and raised in a small village in Tumkur District, Karnataka, India. I spent my childhood with my grandparents, who were important to me and whom I respected. I attended primary school up to Class 4 in the village. For middle school, I had to walk 4 km each way to get to school, and I completed my education up to Class 7.

There was no scarcity of food. We used to play in the well, wander through mango plantations, drink tender coconut, and connect with the village's flowers, plants, and trees. Watching the sprouting of plants with amazement, I used to kiss the flowers. I enjoyed seeing the colourful butterflies and trailing behind them.

During school holidays, on the weekends, I would look for birds’ nests and find joy in watching the delicate chicks come to life. Our family used to prepare coconut oil, which I loved applying to my hair, washing it with shikakai (senegalia rugata, a spiny climbing shrub) and water boiled over firewood in a large brass pot. These were the most enjoyable and memorable days of my life.

To continue my education, I moved to my parents’ house. As one of four siblings—three girls and a boy—we faced numerous difficulties and could not have two square meals daily. My father worked in the agricultural fields, while my mother was busy with housework and caring for us.

We were already struggling to make ends meet when a three-year drought hit the district. My father tried to work in a hotel but could not secure steady employment. We relied on rice porridge and cheap rice from the fair-price shop to have at least one meal daily. We went many nights without food, and somehow, I managed to complete my secondary school education.

At 17, I was immediately married off. By 21, I had two children—a daughter and a son— and my husband worked in the agricultural fields. Food and other essentials were not scarce, but I had to work hard in the agricultural fields, grazing cows, cooking and doing other household chores. On top of all my hard labour, I had to bear my mother-in-law's torture, my father-in-law's sexual abuse, and my husband’s jealous suspicions. If I came home from the field a little late, my husband would ask me, “Who did you go see?” and beat me. This was routine.

One day, the food I cooked ended up not tasting good, so my husband and mother-in-law dragged me out of the house and beat me terribly. My father's sister, brother, and their family lived across from our home. They came to stop the violence against me, but my husband told them it was a “family matter” and they should keep away. They moved back and stood silently, watching.

My parents heard about this incident and came to see me when I was home alone. My father, with much grief, told me that because I have two sisters and a brother at their house, I should not go there. I was told to stay in my husband's house and try to tolerate the abuse. He did not even ask me why I was beaten. After that, I started to fight my battle alone. I used to question some of the abusive behaviour and would get beaten more for it.

Fate played another cruel game with me. My husband developed severe stomach pain. The family thought it could be appendicitis, but without our knowledge, the appendix had ruptured, bleeding internally, and led to his swift death. Just 20 days (about 3 weeks) before his death, I lost my son. These two incidents made my life hell. I had a lot of mental pressure.

My brother had recently married, and I had no place at the house. To build my life, I learned tailoring and came to Bangalore looking for employment. I worked in small factories for a few years and later spent 8 years working in export garment factories. In the factories, there were high production targets along with verbal, physical, and sexual abuse. Despite these conditions, I liked spending my leisure time talking to women garment workers, understanding and learning from their life experiences. I also try to listen to the problems faced by my colleagues and support them with empathy.

Another difficult period in my life came when I faced sexual abuse at an NGO I worked at. I became a target and was forcefully cornered into feeling shame and guilt. However, I had many colleagues who had also experienced sexual abuse. Together, we faced the consequences and successfully came out of that abusive situation. This made me see the strength of a collective effort.

I have always dreamed of establishing a garment workers’ union and a cooperative society for women. Since then, I’ve grown by focusing on building my NGO, Munnade, and I’m happy to say that I am moving slowly and surely towards achieving my dream. In 2019-2020, my focus helped me to finally overcome all my pain and channel my energy into strengthening Munnade to the point it began to be recognised for its work. I can proudly say that Munnade’s work has improved the functioning of factory crèches, first-aid with ambulance availability in the factories, brand negotiations, and many other achievements.

In some circumstances, I can see positive changes in the workplace when it comes to gender-based violence and harassment. In my early days in Bangalore, I saw supervisors and production managers throwing pieces at the workers, beating them, and there was sexual abuse like twisting of ears and pinching of cheeks. Now, such open forms of abuse do not happen.

Difficulties exist for all human beings. Never run away from them. As women, we’re all strong and can achieve anything if we have determination and focus. If a woman firmly takes it upon herself to develop her skills, nothing is impossible. I was born in a village without proper roads and electricity until I completed my Class 10 secondary education. I faced domestic violence and lost my husband and child at a very young age, but my determination to lead a respectful life brought me to Bangalore. I was frightened when I had to raise my only daughter alone and struggled to give her a good education.

I used to think that learning how to use a computer and the English language was something impossible for me, but when I was aiding my daughter with her first delivery, I learned how to use a computer, and when I aided her with her second delivery, I learned basic English. I read the newspaper daily and like reading books that can help me lead a life of dignity. When I first came to Bangalore, I was afraid to travel within the city. Now, I travel alone by myself across Asia, Europe, America, and so on. It was very challenging, but my dreams helped me to fight the battle, and today I am a successful woman. I am proud to head an NGO and strongly encourage women to move forward without fear.

My father has been a source of inspiration. I always remember him saying, “Work is worship. Do whatever you are doing with love and dedication. That is your God, and that will feed you.” Gopinath, the founder of Cividep, has also inspired me with his concern for workers and the respect he gave all of them. As an advisor and mentor, he supported me in making decisions, relating to people, understanding problems, time management, and many other work-related matters. I learned many things from him, including honesty in handling finances and the strong belief that only workers' struggles can help them get their rights.

Use the support of anyone who gives you confidence, and success will be yours.

Yashodha PH is the General Secretary of Munnade. Her story is part of 'Labour Sheroes,' an initiative under the 16 Days of Activism campaign by Asia Floor Wage Alliance. Through this series, we share the stories of women garment workers from South and Southeast Asia who are breaking barriers, fighting against workplace violence and harassment, and leading the change for better working conditions in the global garment industry.

by Admin