UnionAID and Tamil Nadu Labour Union
DALIT AND TRIBAL WORKERS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECT MID TERM REPORT
PO Box 6689 Marion Street Wellington WORKERS IN NEW ZEALAND HELPING WORKERS OVERSEAS
New Zealand March 2013
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Ross Wilson, Christine Ross and Helen Wilson from UnionAID visited the Tamil Nadu Labour Union (TNLU) Dalit and Tribal Workers Economic Development Project from 4th-6th March, 2013. This three year project commenced in June 2011 and has just over one more year to run. It is funded on a dollar for dollar basis by Gareth Morgan Foundation up to $30,000 per year against new monies raised by UnionAID each project year. The objective of this visit was to informally assess progress midway through the project, and discuss future plans and project sustainability with project staff and directors; and meet with participants to listen to their stories of how the project had affected them. The programme of visits and meetings is appended. Cover photo: Front row: Project Directors Edward and Manohari Doss Back row from left: Kashturi, Muthu Lakshmi, Christine Ross, Vasanti, Kala, Hilda Mary, Suppiammal, Sundara Pandi, Ross Wilson, Helen Wilson, Ganapathi, Anthony Sami, Pandi
SUMMARY Project Goal The development of income-generating business initiatives to promote the economic independence and improve the livelihood choices and economic security of Dalit (untouchable) and Tribal (indigenous and gypsy) workers and their families in Tamil Nadu, India; and to provide vocational training to develop business skills and increase their earning capacity and employability. Objective 1: The formation of five new cooperative-based businesses to improve the economic security and livelihood choices of the cooperative members and their families. Four of the five intended cooperatives have now been established and constitutions drawn up, with membership confirmed as follows: Basket Weavers Cooperative (375 women); Sandalmakers Cooperative (256 men); Narikuravar (Gypsy) Craft Cooperative (89 women, 56 men); Kodai Vegetable Growers Cooperative (previously the Agriculture Farming Cooperative) (5 men and 146 women). The fifth cooperative was originally intended to be a cooperative for goat and sheep farmers, but because of government policy which impacted on this sector, TNLU staff decided they will now set up a cooperative for flower growers. This will also establish direct links with the flower vendors micro-enterprise for mutual advantage. There is also a close relationship with government institutions such as the Palm Board which not only helped with accessing a skilled basket weaver who runs one month training courses for members, but now also provides a secure outlet for selling products.
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There have been bureaucratic obstacles to registering the cooperatives but TNLU has taken proactive steps to facilitate these and expect the early registrations to be completed this year. In the meantime members have agreed to work informally as worker cooperatives and, on the site visits, either wore or displayed their membership cards with pride. Objective 2: The formation of 120 micro-enterprises focusing each year of the project, each focused on 40 individuals (10 male, 30 female) to provide them with increased earnings and improved livelihoods for themselves and their families1. Four micro-enterprises have been established, and membership is continuing to grow as people join these. By the end of the project there will be 30 members in each enterprise (120 total). At present membership stands as follows: Small Florists (20 women); Vegetable Vendors (20 women); Rope Bracelet Makers (20 women); Manure Producers (16 women, 4 men). The practical advantages of working collectively, as reported by both project staff and members from both the cooperatives and microenterprises, are economies of scale. Purchasing raw materials as a group, designing and marketing collectively - and increasingly directly to retailers - has improved incomes by avoiding the middlemen and getting regular orders. In addition, links have been made with the Agriculture Institute which has provided practical advice and information on soil testing, organic composting, natural pest control and crop rotation, as well as vermiculture. Members have also learned how to pickle left over vegetables and they plan to start mushroom farming after field visits to see women growing mushrooms. Objective 3: The development and implementation of train-the-trainer courses for 155 key Dalit and Tribal representatives who will then run business skills courses for 1045 participants from local communities to increase their earning capacity and employability. This objective has already been met and exceeded due to the demand for trainers and training. The number of trained trainers (ToT) stands at 495, some of whom are tasked with training another ten members in their workplace. Similarly the numbers of people who have been trained is over target at 1120. The intention is for further ToT and general training with a projected total at the end of the project of 662 trainers and 1820 trainees. (see Table, page 10). The extra training courses have been undertaken because there is an identified need among the membership both for more vocational skills and business management skills which are included in the plan below for the final project year. Twenty-five specialist trainers have also been selected to offer technical assistance and expertise to members, advice about competing in the market, linking up with government institutions, and communication and bargaining skills.
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This objective has been reworded. For details see “Issues arising� (p.4).
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Project Outcomes Anecdotal evidence suggests that the project has already had economic benefits, with stories told of higher incomes, a reduction in household indebtedness, and children being sent for higher education. Pre-intervention data has been entered for 1073 members from both the cooperative and micro-enterprise, collected through oral surveys undertaken by field workers, and entered by TNLU staff. These questionnaires ask about income, indebtedness and schooling for girls and boys. We anticipate that that the staff and participants’ stories will be supported by the post-intervention data to be collected towards the end of the project. However, less easily measured but equally significant - if not more so - is the sense of identity provided by belonging to and working in a cooperative or microenterprise which a number of project participants reported. For people who have always been called by their caste names, being seen as people who make a living producing items that others want to buy, is a source of pride. Issues Arising There has been some confusion regarding the numbers of micro-enterprises to be established. This is largely due to the wording of Objective 2. It has become clear over the year that the intention of the project staff has been for only 4 different micro-enterprises to be established, with 120 members. We have agreed that this is a more reasonable expectation, and because they are meeting the membership quotas as stated in the objective, we have reworded the objective as follows: The formation of 4 micro-enterprises, each focused on 30 individuals (120 in total) to provide them with increased earnings and improved livelihoods for themselves and their families.
There were some minor inconsistencies between the data base and the numbers provided for the 18 month report. These mainly related to data entry errors and some confusion arising from the TNLU staff reporting template. Numbers have now been confirmed and the data entries will be corrected as above. UnionAID will design a clearer template to help avoid these reporting errors in future. The Final Year Plans for the final year of the project were impressively comprehensive and ambitious but, looking at the work done to date and the energy and determination of staff and participants in this project, the feeling was that, all going well, much if not all of this could be achieved. The emphasis for the final year of the project will be on the establishment of the fifth cooperative for flower producers and increasing the micro-enterprise membership to meet the objectives. There will also be more training as discussed above, with a focus on training for 4
financial management, including book keeping, accounts and banking, as well as technical issues related to running a successful business such as risk management, market demand and market status. Project staff will continue to assist with the strengthening of credit unions to encourage savings among members. Lending between the different cooperatives will be supported so that members can develop their businesses and, where feasible, establish small shops. Project staff will continue to facilitate the registration of cooperatives through lobbying for policy change at a regional government level, and to seek agreement on cooperative laws. This should make it easier and quicker for future grassroots organisations to establish and register cooperatives. They also aim to establish life and health insurance schemes for members, possibly with links to existing schemes. Increasing promotion of the work of the TNLU cooperatives and the cooperative movement generally is intended. This will be done by linking with other cooperatives or unions and sharing insights and experiences. They would also like to produce a newsletter for circulation to members and other like-minded groups. It is recognised that learning is an ongoing process for members and there is also the opportunity for others to learn from this project work. There is the possibility of displaying and selling products at government organised exhibitions, for which financial assistance is available to participants for travel and accommodation. They also hope to find central workplaces so that, when it rains, workers do not have to crowd into a member’s house, or squash under the covered verandah of a temple. Several of the groups are exploring the idea of setting up their own shops to maximise profits. There is a Small Entrepreneurship Certificate available which, after a two day training course, entitles holders to a government subsidy to establish their own shop; it also makes it easier to get loans. The sandalmakers already had their certificates, however they were well aware that there were risks to setting up shops, such as other competitors, political interference and a significant 200,000 Rupee deposit ($NZ 4000). Other objectives for the year, which in fact are ‘work as usual’ for TNLU staff, were lobbying and advocacy, including on land ownership and getting title deeds in women’s names, and exploring possibilities with the government’s recently established Women’s Bank. Towards the end of the project year, post-intervention data will be collected by staff starting about February, initially for the first cooperatives and micro-enterprises, and working through until June. It is hoped that Susan Iversen, from Karo Data Management in Wellington, will be able to assist the local staff with extracting and comparing the data at the end of the project and, with Helen Wilson, from UnionAID, to help with the analysis, and pass on these skills. 5
After the Project is Over The hope of the project staff is that the participants will be self-reliant by the end of the project, although this is not certain. The feeling was that there would still be a need for guidance but that, at the very least, project participants would have guaranteed employment and a secure income. They felt that if they were to spread the word about the success of this project, there would be a need to learn presentation skills to encourage others who are interested in this model. It was also agreed that the extensive and valuable skills which the project team and the TNLU have developed during the project, and in earlier years under the organising and training projects, should be able to be applied for the benefit of other similar communities. The possibility of bringing other communities into the various business models, whether microenterprises or worker collectives is under consideration. This will ensure the benefits of working collectively are extended to other Dalit and Tribal workers who are struggling to survive economically.
Helen Wilson Christine Ross Ross Wilson April 2013
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DETAILED MINUTES FROM THE MEETINGS AND SITE VISITS Monday 4th Meeting with Edward and Manohari Doss, Project Directors The project has faced some particular challenges. Firstly, the process for registration of the cooperatives has been unwieldy and slow, with officials at the local level not following the requirements in the Act. Due to this delay cooperative members have decided to operate informally under cooperative principles, and it is anticipated that the first two cooperatives will be registered this year. To facilitate the cooperative registration process at grassroots level, action has been taken. A memorandum has been submitted to the Inspector General of Cooperatives at Chennai to bring an amendment to suit the situation of grassroots workers (most cooperatives in India are government and bureaucrat controlled); and petitions have been submitted with the Registrar of Cooperatives at Regional and District level asking for flexibility in dealing with practical difficulties in the registration process. The election for the Director of Cooperatives at state level has been announced and the feeling was that little would happen until that was over. Secondly, the fifth cooperative was originally intended to be for sheep and goat farmers, however there has been a problem with this idea which has clashed with government plans for these farmers. They agreed that there needed to be consideration of another fifth cooperative as a substitute to meet the project objectives. The Agricultural Workers Cooperative has changed its name to the Kodai Vegetable Growers Cooperative Society. Dalit cobblers have migrated from the villages into Madurai city and now there are 190 units of sandalmakers who have come together to working collectively and selling directly to shops. Constitutions for the cooperatives have been framed and 5-7 Board members for each cooperative have been elected democratically. Shareholder members have put in 100 Rupees per head ($NZ2). Micro-enterprises have been less difficult with all four established in the first year. The manure producers are based in Kodaikanal, and the other 3 microenterprises (florists, rope bracelet makers and vegetable vendors) are based around Madurai city. Work that was previously done by individuals is now done collectively with the purchasing and marketing advantages that that brings. Members are selected from the families of union members through union meetings. Union membership is growing and members pay 50 Rupees (NZ1) to join and 10 Rupees a month membership fee. 7
The vegetable vendors send 1-2 members to buy directly from the farmers’ market in Madurai and then they distribute the vegetables to others in the micro-enterprise. Similarly the small flower vendors can buy directly from the growers and avoid the middlemen. Meetings with Project Staff Pandi, Project Convenor Economic development has been important for members and given them confidence. However, for the union members they typically work with, the project meant a shift from a focus on organising and protesting for workers’ rights to economic development. This meant that initially it was difficult to promote the idea of worker cooperatives with the members, who were more familiar with working in small units, either in work places, or in villages. A common response was the fear of change and the implications of this. In some places it took three or more meetings to persuade the TNLU members of the advantages of a cooperative, and working and marketing collectively, and the benefits of operating their businesses as independent producers of goods. Several advantages were identified: o Participants no longer need to work through middlemen and they now get fairer prices o Traditional products are often outdated so the development of new skills mean quality products for a modern market o Access to raw materials all year round rather than seasonally o Links to government sources of materials
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Sundar Raja, Trade Promoter for the micro-enterprises For these union members there was concern about the implications of joining a micro-enterprise. The women vegetable vendors were particularly worried as they generally sell on street corners and are vulnerable to the demands of the police or other authorities who seek bribes to allow them to stay. To overcome resistance by the individuals who were working in the four trades that would form the micro-enterprises (florists, manure preparation, vegetable vending, rope bracelet making) several meetings were held to explain the advantages of working collectively. Advantages were seen to be o Earning more through the collective purchasing of raw materials at wholesale prices o Avoiding the money lenders o Being able to afford to send their children to school o Opportunities to meet one another and share ideas o Learning new techniques and strategies to improve skills and marketing [Due to time constraints, this meeting was continued on 6th March].
Vasanti, Training Coordinator and Coordinator for Labour Unions Vasanti organises the training for the cooperatives and micro-enterprise members. There are three types of training: perspective building; skills training and vocational training. 1. Perspective building: this covers the activities of a cooperative, how to be involved and perform duties, legal processes, promoting saving, managing money, credit unions, and loans, and how to get small assets, as well as studying the market e.g. designing for the market, popular demand, and making links and liaising with government institutions. 2. Skills training: this builds on traditional skills to enhance product design in order to meet market demand. 9
Traditionally, basket weaving tended to be done with firm palm leaves but using tender young leaves means they can produce new designs. 3. Vocational training: This involves learning how to run a business professionally, for example, setting up displays at government festivals and institutions. To this end 25 trainers have been selected to offer technical assistance and expertise to members, advice about competing in the market, linking up with government institutions, and communication and bargaining skills. Members see the results in terms of regular employment and additional income, so they can now save money. This means they can send their children to school. Future training will focus on simple accounting and financial management for those who can read and write: keeping ledgers, records and minutes; how to process loan applications. There is a plan to promote lending between the cooperatives rather than using money lenders and they aim to set up life and health insurance schemes. This may mean linking with other insurance institutions if there are benefits in this. Training statistics for the three project years (Year 3 numbers anticipated): YEAR Year 1 Year 2 Sub total Year 3
Trainers of trainers (TOT) trained 86 193 88 100 75 120
TOTAL Objective 3 Extra trainers and trainees in total
TOT Total
Trainees trained by TOTs
279
495
188 467
625 1120
195 662 155 507
700 1820 1045 775
This means that there are an extra 507 TOT trainers and an extra 775 trainees as a result of the increased training courses. This has been done in response to the need identified during the 10
process of the project. The current total membership of the cooperatives stands at 927 and it is anticipated that another cooperative of 125 there will be a projected total of 1052 by the end of the project. Hilda Mary, Field Officer and supervisor of data collection The collection of survey data is done by five of the field staff and two other members. They are also collecting information from participants on the reasons for taking out loans (often from landlords) and have found that common reasons are because of the costs associated with festivals and village events, and sometimes drinking. This can lead to school dropout because the children are needed to work in the fields in order to help pay back the loans.
Kala, Field Officer for the Vegetable Growers and Small Florists Micro-enterprises All the individuals in the micro-enterprises live at the poverty level. They make daily trips to the market and if the prices fluctuate they have very little income with which to feed their children. Usually the florists sell in the streets when office workers are on their way to work up until about 10 am. If they are left with flowers they have to be discarded which means that at the end of the day they will face a deficit. By coming together they have learned how to present flowers so they can continue selling them after 10am, and how to dry and market those left over. Traditionally men have made the garlands, but in some families the men are training the women and both are making garlands. The florists are also planning to link up with growers and small producers so they can buy directly, and they have had some success cutting out the middleman. Some of the florists are learning about packing and using cool boxes to keep the flowers in bud and prevent blossoming. This is useful especially with lily and jasmine 11
during the wedding season, and they have been sending flowers to Chennai. They have learnt how to negotiate with money lenders, whereas before they used to hide when he came. The support offered by the microenterprise structure enables them to face such challenges collectively. When they meet as a group, they said they chat and share their “joys and sorrows�.
Anthony Sami, Field Officer with the Vegetable Growers Cooperative in Kodaikanal hills Anthony works with 89 of the 151 vegetable growers who are working 54 acres of land in the Pallanki village area. He initially had to call five meetings to discuss the project before getting their agreement to proceed to form a cooperative – but he found that the survey triggered interest as well. Both members and the project staff attended the training sessions with the Agriculture Institute where they learned organic methods of cultivation and composting. They now sell the manure by the bag and also vegetables to the local market. Ganapathi, Field Officer with the Vegetable Growers Cooperative and Manure Producers Microenterprises in Kodaikanal hills Ganapathi works with the other 62 members of the Vegetable Growers Cooperative, who together cultivate 50 acres on steeper terraced land. He also works with 10 members of the Manure Producers micro-enterprise which produces the organic compost. Everyone, including the project staff, has attended four training sessions at the Agricultural Institute, where they have learnt about soil testing, natural pest control and crop rotation, as well as vermiculture. They have also learned to pickle left over vegetables to prevent waste and plan to start mushroom farming after field visits to see women growing mushrooms.
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Suppiammal, Field Officer with the Vegetable Growers Cooperative As their members were only recently released from bondage, they had some concerns about the project. After three meetings, someone was invited from the Agriculture Institute and the growers found out about free soil testing and what they needed to use to enrich and retain moisture in the soil. This interested the vegetable growers and they consented to being involved in the project. Often these workers work their own fields and then go and work for wages in other fields so they have the opportunity to share their experiences with other growers. Previously they used to leave their vegetables in sacks by the side of the road to be collected for wholesalers but now they sell directly to shops. They would also like to sell directly to Madurai vegetable vendors. They now have a sense of identity as producers not bonded labourers, and can earn more, educating their children in residential schools [for higher education] in Kodaikanal. They see themselves as a model for other farmers and are currently discussing extending their membership to 250. They would like to have their own shop for the Sunday market and are making approaches to the appropriate people to set up a cooperative shop for organic produce. Muthu Lakshmi, Field Officer with 1000 families of Perungudi area. These families have always done basket weaving, but traditionally they have produced only large baskets. There are 500 women involved in this work, of whom 350 belong to the cooperative. There is a need to train the other women as well, as many are without employment but can do this work from home while looking after their children. By joining the cooperative and attending the one month training course run by the Palm Board, the women can learn new skills and produce finer and more decorative work. This supplements the income from the construction and agricultural work of their husbands and means they can send their children to school. They have no problems 13
marketing as they sell through the Palm Board. They have promoted their own Credit Union and are accumulating funds which they can lend among themselves, with priority given to those sending children to school. Kasthuri, Field Officer for 100 Basket Weavers Cooperative members, Simmakal village Of these 100 basket weavers, 40 have now been trained by 10 ToT trainers. Now they get raw materials directly from the Palm Board and can get good quality products (must be white leaves) as the Palm Board rejects poor leaves. Of the 100 members, 60 are involved in the Credit Union which has been operating for 5 months, saving 50 Rupees a month ($1). They are very interested in increasing their income and will be involved in other group activities. For example, they are also approaching the District Collector to seek land for housing.
Sundara Pandi, Project Record Keeper Sundara Pandi holds the important position of responsibility for collecting and filing the information for the project. This means keeping the records for the various cooperatives, including the legal requirements, the membership numbers, and Board constitutions. He also files the survey hard copies, after they have been entered into the Lime Survey database. These are the thick files at the bottom of the back pile on the desk.
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Monday 4th Meeting with key members from Vegetable Growers Cooperative and Manure Producers Micro-enterprise Because we did not have time to visit the Kodaikanal area which is some some distance from Madurai where the Vegetable Growers Cooperative (previously the Agriculture Farming Cooperative) and the Manure Producers Micro-enterprise are based, key members from came to meet with us in Madurai. Antoniammal (Pallanki village) Antoniammal reported that previously they were bonded labourers, but through the work of the Women’s Development Resource Centre (the partner organisation with the Tamil Nadu Labour Union), 400 of them are now freed from bondage and now have “great pride” as they have collective ownership of land and work collectively, and are independent of the landlords and money lenders. Suppiammal (Kelavarai, 52 miles from Kodaikanal) Since the establishment of the cooperative, there have been a number of significant changes. Officials from government departments have been helpful, assisting with the training of members, giving advice and scientific information on the systematic cycle from seed to harvest: the digging and preparation of manure pits, soil preparation, making organic fertilizer and pesticides, the preservation of seeds and the harvesting of produce. The training has given them confidence to work leased farms and has improved their livelihoods. Because they are working their own land they now have the freedom to make their own decisions about cultivation and marketing, which was previously done by the landowners, and they have an understanding about basic economics. The benefits and opportunities that the cooperative has given them are: o o o o o o o
A higher income Self-sufficiency Higher crop yields from organic cultivation The development of a seed bank The establishment of a credit union Avoidance of the money lenders They are able to send their children to school for longer – 100% going for higher education
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o Children understand cooperative principles and those that do not go elsewhere for work will be the next leaders They are also developing a model farm, growing turnips, radishes, and cauliflowers organically. They hope for more training if this is to succeed as a viable model for others working small land holdings and also to counter the corporate model. They are also looking at the cultivation of other vegetables. There are 125 villages in the area and they need to decide about working with other small leasehold and marginal farmers to mobilise them and increase membership in the cooperative. Challenges to be faced if necessary:
there are sometimes difficulties saving because at times the farmers have to work for wages on other farms there may be a reaction from old landowners or corporate interests landowners may snatch land or interfere in the market
The men were asked about their views of these changes. They said that the tribal women are now given more freedom to leave the house and they are “proud of the women”. In some families the men can create problems but they need to have more education so they understand there are advantages when women go out to work.
5th March: Site Visits Narikuravar (Gypsy) Craft Cooperative These previously nomadic people, who used to sleep in bus shelters or public buildings such as schools, are now settled in a small community of 40 families. Houses will be built for them by the government in April (under an ecofriendly “Green House” scheme). Currently they live in small very basic thatched dwellings with hard earth flooring.
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Traditionally the men would go hunting but as they are not permitted to hunt in the surrounding hills, they now help the women in their beading craft work (left). The whole community is involved in making the beads, and both men and women were busy twisting the copper and threading the beads while we spoke to them (lower left). They design the items themselves and then test the market, selling both locally and at fairs and festivals around the country, and sometimes outside. Working with the project team and joining the cooperative has improved their lives significantly. Because they are now settled permanently, they can access certain entitlements through their Voters ID card, their Welfare Board cards, and their Family Ration card which gives them an allocation of rice, oil, dahl and other basic foodstuffs. They also have their Tamil Nadu Labour Union cards, a Credit Union card, and their Cooperative Membership Card, which they held up for us (left: Patthu Thurai). Having a Voters ID card also gives them access to the Government Exhibition where they can display their products and get a good price. The Government will also subsidise travel expenses and food for this event. As Raja Lakshmi, the President of the Craft Cooperative (bottom left), said, “Now we are making strong decisions. Previously no-one respected us because we did not have proper jobs. Now we can improve our lives and be a model to other people.� It was a source of great pride that they now could receive mail directly addressed to them from government officials themselves, and that they were now considered a recognised caste. And importantly, they can now send their children to school up to the 12th standard. Their ambition is for their children to gain posts in the government.
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Basket Weavers Cooperative (Total 375 members from three different villages) Group 1: Because it was raining, these women were crowded into a member’s house, weaving while sitting on the floor, in some instances with children on their laps. Five members of this group has undertaken a month’s training course, organised through the Palm Board. They are now able to train others and the expectation is that they train ten members each. The five trainers (left) are Mahalakshmi, Tilaverasi, Manikavalli, Muthu Lakshmi and Poovayi. The weaving course has been developed by Meena, who has had 31 years experience of weaving such products. She teaches new weaving and dying techniques and fine skills. All graduates of the course receive a certificate. Since they have learned better weaving skills, they have shifted from making very traditional products to more finely woven and colourful items to meet the demand of the modern market. The group usually weaves from 9.30 until 3pm while their children are at school, and sometimes in the late evenings. Their husbands work in agriculture, construction, or loading work, although one husband plays the flute at functions.
Group 2: These cooperative members were sheltering from the rain, weaving under an awning over the porch of a Hindu shrine when we arrived. There were about 30 present, and apparently many more had turned up to talk to us, but because of the rain had gone back home. Here we met Meena (left), who has been providing the TOT courses for selected cooperative members.
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The women all attend meetings about the cooperative in the evenings so they can learn about the function of a cooperative and cooperative activity. Previously these women were doing agricultural work and their husbands either work on construction sites, in agriculture or as coolies.
Group 3: This group of weavers was waiting for us in the street, protected from the rain by a makeshift awning and a waterproof mat. This is Jesurami wearing her membership card (left) and Kaleeswari, Pancha Mani and Velaiammal sheltering on the steps into a house as they work (below). The Palm Board supplies the raw product and there are different markets for different products. Ten of the 60 members of this group have received the month’s training. Benefits from the cooperative were seen as: o o o o o o o o
Skills enhanced according to the market New skills helpful for different types of products They earn more so can replay previous loans All have started a savings programme Leaning better skills means they can earn more All their children are enrolled in school They can supplement family income They now earn equally with the men
Working together as a group they said provided the chance to “share our happiness and sorrow and the practical difficulties of women.” Examples of the fine basketwork were on display in the TNLU offices and can be seen in Appendix II.
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Sandal Makers Cooperative This cooperative brings together 190 small cobbler units. In the area we visited there are 10-15 units which previously worked independently. Now they work together sourcing raw materials and marketing collectively. Vijayan (left) is the President of the Cooperative and he works with his colleague, Kaliamuthu, to research design and marketing. They look at some of the popular branded sandals and change the designs a little. Designs are changed every three months. All the units then produce the same design and workers are getting piece rates rather than wages. Each pair of sandals is fetching 10 Rupees more and they are producing about 100 pairs per day from this single area, working about 8am-8pm each day. A photo of their sandals can be seen in Appendix II. Rope Bracelet Making Micro-enterprise We met with 20 women who make rope bracelets for this micro-enterprise in the small village of Debethan Sandathai. Saratha, Anna Lakshmi and Naga Lakshmi demonstrate their skills for us (left). The women were doing agricultural work, but when there is no work they now make rope bracelets. They normally work at home but for our visit they met us on the steps of the community hall and showed us their technique. They sell the bracelets in the city and at festivals, or give them to the gypsy community to sell when they travel to other areas. Although they usually make the bracelets at home, raw materials are purchased in bulk and the finished products 20
are collected up from each woman and sold. This is a stable group of women earning about 80 Rupees ($NZ1.60) a day, with a minimum of 5 Rupees a piece if they buy the materials collectively. For festivals they can charge up to 10 Rupees (20 cents) per bracelet. It takes one day to learn the skill. They are on the constant look out for markets and are thinking about finding a shop which can sell for them. They meet monthly on 20 th of the month. [A photo of the finished examples of rope bracelet work can be seen in Appendix II.]
Vegetable Vendors and Small Florists Micro-enterprises Before the final site visit with the rope bracelet makers, we met in the office with representatives from these two micro-enterprises. They both talked about the possibilities of making direct links with growers, both of vegetables and flowers to avoid the middlemen. These links could also make it easier as the products could come directly to the sellers rather than them having to go to the market to buy, and avoiding the time and costs incurred with this travel. The florists talked of the difficulties keeping their flowers in bud – if they blossom they have to be sold at half price. And when they buy from the market agent there is no opportunity to bargain. They are considering the possibility of establishing a shop, as when they move about selling on the streets they are more vulnerable to the authorities. Through the sangham (women’s committee) they are saving money and can take loans through this rather than using the money lenders. They have had pressure from the money lenders but have negotiated repayments as a group.
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6th March Meeting with Boards of Directors from the Basket Weavers Cooperative, the Narikuravar Gypsy Craft Cooperative, and Sandalmakers Cooperative. Points of Discussion -
Board members’ roles:
Sandalmakers: saw their role as board members to run the business, collect orders, skills training for new styles of footware to meet market demand, assessing needed skills and observing market trends. Also to develop economic enhancement through employment. Basket Weavers: their role as board members is to ensure that raw materials are available and markets are identified. They also organise to buy materials directly from wholesalers, and look for new markets, as well as collecting and organising materials and productions. When there are price fluctuations then board members need to explain supply and demand and market issues. Board members also need to learn risk management skills and problem resolution. Narikuravar Craft: The Board is elected by the community and they decide who will be selected for training (as well as the allocation of housing). They have an annual election but are considering appointing a permanent leader. Raja Lakshmi, currently the co-leader, saw the Board role as informing members about festivals, what should be produced, and making travel arrangements and plans. There is also the responsibility of raising money for investing in the business as loans and sharing this. They have a credit union but there is still not enough savings so they need money advanced. -
Business plans:
Sandalmakers: have plans to get contracts for bulk orders of shoes, such as school orders, in which case they need to plan together to fill such orders. They also need to meet with family members to create an awareness and understanding to get their cooperation. They would like to establish their own shop with their own brand, but the first step is to get permission from the City Council, through filing a petition. They have a sense of identity now as producers and maybe shop owners and then they can be more self reliant and self-supporting. Basket weavers: they said they needed more technical skills training and they would also like to have a shop. They are currently approaching a Khadi craft shop to see if they can display their products there. They are close to the airport and wonder about having a shop there or at the Meenakshi temple. The training this year will help them meet these objectives.
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Gypsy Craft: one of the Board duties is to get the members ID cards so they can get access to government exhibitions. They also plan to attend festivals in Kerala. -
Running a shop/ risk management
Sandalmakers: They have explored this possibility and are aware that running a shop has extra costs like electricity. However they have got a Small Entrepreneurship Certificate and this entitles them to a government subsidy. Basket Weavers: They can also apply for this certificate through the Palm Board which, after a two day training, entitles them to assistance if they wish to set up a shop. Holding a certificate also makes it easier to get bank loans. (Similarly this applies to the organic manure producers and vegetable producers which entitles them to a subsidy if they set up a shop.) They were aware that there were risks to setting up a shop, such as other competitors, political interference and 200,000 Rupee deposit ($NZ 4000). Gypsy Craft: They are aware of issues around risk management and security of their product and are looking at this. By the end of the project they hope they will have paid off their debts and be reliant only on the Credit Union for borrowing. Meeting with Key Leaders on Sustainability Bamboo Basket Weavers: They need more investment and hope to promote the Credit Union to raise capital. They would like a workplace and also to access government shops; later, when they can, they would like to produce a higher quality product to sustain their own shop. They are negotiating a higher price for products with the Palm Board, which places regular monthly orders with the cooperative. Flower growers: Antoniammal taked on behalf of these women who now have their own flower gardens and, after 2 years, they have yields of flowers which they sell at the flower market in Madurai. They have to pay 100 Rupees per 1000 Rupees to the market agent for commission. Sometimes they get an advance from the market agent to buy seedlings and for land preparation. This means they have to pay interest. Now they are selling directly to the vendors and do not need to pay a commission. Final Meeting with staff A comprehensive plan for the final 12-14 months of the project was detailed by staff as follows: 1. Financial management –accounts and banking training 2. Technical aspects – demand and market status 3. Strengthening the credit unions and savings habit 23
4. 5. 6. 7.
Inter-cooperative lending – for development e.g. shops Interface with government – policy level changes and agreement on cooperative laws Insurance schemes for members – life and health Integration at various levels – linkage with other cooperatives/unions/similar groups – sharing insights and experiences 8. Promotion of the cooperative movement 9. Newsletter for circulation to members and like-minded groups 10. Participation at government organised exhibitions 11. Getting shops and workplaces 12. Establishing the 5th cooperative – small flower producers 13. Further training of trainers – 195 14. Strengthening the micro-enterprises and expanding membership from 30-40 15. Lobbying and advocacy – on land ownership (getting title deeds); small entrepreneurs; Women’s Bank (being established by the Government) 16. Monitoring of children’s school enrollment and attendance 17. Establishing a seed bank 18. Obtaining government orders 19. Exposure – ongoing learning process for members and others can learn from us 20. Vermiculture established 21. Collection of end-of-project data and analysis Beyond 2014 1. Need for upgrading coop members’ skills 2. Need for presentation skills if others come to learn from us 3. To be self reliant – can’t say they will be self-reliant, but after three years can say they expect guaranteed employment, but will still need some guidance
Members of the Narikuravar (Gypsy) Craft Cooperative talking, laughing and beading. Raja Lakshmi, President of the Cooperative, told us “We are suffering a lot but we are enjoying life.”
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APPENDIX I
UNION AID NEW ZEALAND MONITORING VISIT TO TNLU PROJECT 4-6TH MARCH 2013 Facilitators: Mr. Ross Wilson, Ms. Helen & Christine Ross SL. NO: 1.
DATE & TIME 4th March 2-4 Pm
ACTIVITY
TARGET GROUP
VENUE
Meeting & Discussion
Mr. Edward, Mrs. Manohari Doss Staff Team
TNLU Office
TNLU Office
2.
4 – 5.30 Pm
Meeting & Discussion
Members of Kodai Vegetable Growers Cooperative & Manure Producers
3.
5th March 8 to 11 Am
Site Visit & Meeting
Gcc-Gipsy Craft Cooperative
Narikuravar dewelling place potham Patti
4.
11.30Am to 12.30Pm
Site visit
BBWC – Bamboo Basket Weaving Co – Operative
Sangaya Koil Street, Ambedkhar Nagar
5.
12.30 to 1.30Pm
Site Visit
BBWC
Kamatchiamman Koil st, ABI Manan St,
3-4 Pm
Site Visit
SMC – Sandal Makers, Cooperative
Maboob Palayam, Bodi Line.
7.
4-5 Pm
Meeting & Discussion
Micro Enterprises Vegetable Venders Florists.
TNLU Office
8.
5-6.30 Pm
Site Visit
Micro Enterprises Debethar Santhai Rope Bracelet Makers
9.
6th March 9.30-1.30 Am
Discussion
Staff Team
6.
TNLU Office
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10.
11 – 12
Meeting & Discussion about Sustainability
11.
12-1 Pm
Discussion on Sustainability
Key Leaders
TNLU Office
12.
2-4 Pm
Feed Back & Future Plan
Staff Team
TNLU Office
Board of Directors BBWC, GCC, SMC
TNLU Office
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APPENDIX II Examples of products on display at the TNLU offices
Basketware
Footware
Rope bracelets
Beaded bracelets and necklaces
[There were also small bags of beautifully friable and fragrant organic compost on display, but no-one took a photo of them]
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