Workers’ Voice brings you the true stories of garment workers, highlighting the challenges they face every day. Through infographics, we showcase their struggles with wages, working conditions, discrimination, and other human rights risks within global supply chains. Explore the realities of their lives and the strength they show in overcoming adversity.<\/span><\/p>” content_phone=” Workers’ Voice brings you the true stories of garment workers, highlighting the challenges they face every day. Through infographics, we showcase their struggles with wages, working conditions, discrimination, and other human rights risks within global supply chains. Explore the realities of their lives and the strength they show in overcoming adversity.<\/span><\/p>” content_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|||||||” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”Prata||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#2d2121″ header_font_size=”100px” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”92%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”24px|260px|28px|109px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”14px|15px|0px|15px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”18px” text_font_size_phone=”15px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_font_size_tablet=”96px” header_font_size_phone=”50px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400|| ||” global_colors_info=”{}”] Workers’ Voice brings you the true stories of garment workers, highlighting the challenges they face every day. Through reports and infographics, we showcase their struggles with wages, working conditions, discrimination, and other human rights risks within global supply chains. Explore the realities of their lives and share their stories.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/cividep.org\/workers-observatory\/workers-voice\/#download” button_text=”Download Report” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”24px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#a3a3a3″ button_border_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” button_border_radius=”32px” button_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” custom_margin=”23px||9px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” admin_label=”Section” module_id=”wage” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#efe7d7″ background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”custom” background_image_width=”42%” background_image_height=”42%” background_repeat=”repeat” custom_margin=”|-30px||-30px|false|false” custom_padding=”2px||115px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”2px||115px|0px|false|false” custom_padding_phone=”|0px||0px|false|false” da_popup_slug=”wage” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”1211px” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|0px|8px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_divider color=”#E09900″ divider_style=”dotted” divider_weight=”3px” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” custom_margin=”||23px|||” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cividep.org\/workers-observatory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wages.png” title_text=”wages” align=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” max_width=”29%” max_width_tablet=”34%” max_width_phone=”67%” max_width_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_margin=”-32px||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”22px” header_font=”Prata||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#8e817c” header_font_size=”75px” custom_margin=”||0px|||” custom_padding=”||15px|||” header_font_size_tablet=”73px” header_font_size_phone=”38px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400|| ||” global_colors_info=”{}”] Wage sufficiency means earning enough to meet essential needs like food, clothing, housing, and medical care, while also ensuring security against unemployment and unexpected expenses. A Cividep report reveals that only 1% of garment workers earn even half of what\u2019s considered a living wage, with just 3% making more than the industry minimum. This illustrates the gap between gross and living wages in cities like Bengaluru. Nearly 58% of workers in Cividep’s latest report (Home & The World of Work) identified higher wages as their top priority, citing inadequate earnings that force them into overtime or additional jobs. Take a look at the infographic below to understand the challenges faced by many garment workers just to get by.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” text_text_color=”#444444″ text_font_size=”24px” text_line_height=”1.2em” header_font=”Prata||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#2d2121″ header_font_size=”100px” header_2_font_size=”31px” min_height=”61px” custom_margin=”74px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”56px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”57px|15px|0px|15px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”||3px|||” text_font_size_tablet=”18px” text_font_size_phone=”20px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_font_size_tablet=”96px” header_font_size_phone=”50px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_2_font_size_tablet=”31px” header_2_font_size_phone=”22px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400|| ||” global_colors_info=”{}”] Garment worker Sheela\u2019s monthly challenges involve juggling multiple jobs and cutting back on essential expenses like nutritious food and medical care. To make ends meet, she often skips meat and fruits, walks instead of taking the bus, and goes without hygiene products or medicines. She saves \u20b9500 by avoiding doctor consultations and another \u20b9500 by forgoing entertainment and outings. Her efforts reveal the reality of financial instability and inadequate healthcare, impacting both her and her children\u2019s future.<\/p>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”49px||||false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/Gz-t1Cgil0g” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/cividep.org\/workers-observatory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/bg2jpg.jpg” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|||||||” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”Prata||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#2d2121″ header_font_size=”100px” header_2_font=”|800|||||||” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”92%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|260px|5px|109px||” custom_margin_tablet=”||33px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”|260px|10px|109px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”20px||||false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”18px” text_font_size_phone=”15px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_font_size_tablet=”96px” header_font_size_phone=”50px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400|| ||” global_colors_info=”{}”] Have You Seen This Harried Woman Who Races Past Busy Traffic Signals Off Mysuru Road? Meet Sheela, A Tailor at A Big Garment Factory, Whose Low Pay Doesn\u2019t Leave Much For Having Healthy Meals or Comfortable Work Commutes <\/p>\n <\/p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”#wage-content” button_text=”Read Story” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”17px” button_text_color=”#FFFFFF” button_bg_color=”#a3a3a3″ button_border_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” button_border_radius=”32px” button_font=”Ubuntu|700|||||||” custom_margin=”-38px||20px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Popup – #wage-content” module_id=”wage-content” module_class=”popup with-loader” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_padding=”1px||3px|||” da_is_popup=”on” da_popup_slug=”wage-content” da_with_loader=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_image=”https:\/\/cividep.org\/workers-observatory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/bg.jpg” width=”100%” max_width=”100%” custom_margin=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” custom_padding=”60px|60px|60px|60px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” background_enable_image=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”|28px||28px|false|true” global_colors_info=”{}”] <\/span><\/p>\n Till recently, Sheela <\/span>(name changed)<\/span><\/i> would zip through the bylanes of Jawaregowdana Doddi on foot to reach her office on the busy Mysuru Road. With its glass and concrete fa\u00e7ade, the garment factory could be mistaken for an IT company, another Bengaluru staple that attracts young talent nationwide.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n However, the comparison ends there. Despite recent layoffs, the typical software job still offers competitive salaries and perks, a far cry from Manju’s monthly earnings of Rs. 10,500 – barely half of what’s considered a decent living wage. Her daily hour-long morning walk has nothing to do with fitness but all to ensure that she punches in on time at the factory without \u2018wasting\u2019 a single rupee on bus fare. In the evening, after an exhausting 8-hour tailoring shift, the 35-year-old single parent retraces her steps home to her mother and son.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201c<\/span>Susth aadru maadbekalla<\/span><\/i> (Don\u2019t I still have to do it even if I’m tired?),\u201d asks Sheela matter-of-factly. She now occasionally takes the bus to work, thanks to the Karnataka government’s free travel scheme for women. Her composure slips when discussing her son. \u201cSometimes I think I could have provided him with a better education if I earned more,\u201d she says, her eyes welling up with emotion.<\/span><\/p>\n Her meager wage is at the heart of Sheela\u2019s struggle despite years in the industry. Starting with Rs. 5,500 in 2010, her monthly income now is a mere Rs. 9,500 post-deductions. Meanwhile, her monthly expenses have soared to Rs. 11,500 (see graphic). Her mother, earning Rs. 6,000 as a housekeeper, can only contribute minimally to the household finances.<\/p>\n Sheela\u2019s plight is not unique. India\u2019s garment manufacturing industry, with an annual turnover of thousands of crores, employs millions of workers, with a significant majority being women<\/a>. In Bengaluru alone, over 1,500 units employ nearly 5 lakh women, many earning below Rs. 10,000, as per the latest Cividep report (link).<\/p>\n The prevalence of low wages among workers, particularly affecting women and migrants, is largely attributed to the dominance* (link) of major global brands wielding considerable monopoly power. These brands engage numerous Indian suppliers to gain a competitive edge, forcing suppliers into cut-throat competition. They, in turn, pass the burden onto their workforce through high workload demands and low wages.<\/p>\nWage Sufficiency<\/h1>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|||||||” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”Prata||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#2d2121″ header_font_size=”100px” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”92%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|260px|15px|109px||” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”-6px|15px|0px|15px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”18px” text_font_size_phone=”15px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_font_size_tablet=”96px” header_font_size_phone=”50px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400|| ||” global_colors_info=”{}”]
The True Cost of Low Wages<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/cividep.org\/workers-observatory\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/wage-scaled.jpg” title_text=”wage” show_in_lightbox=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-48px||||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”-48px||||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”-12px||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” border_radii=”on|10px|10px|10px|10px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”Ubuntu|700|on||||||” text_text_color=”#E09900″ text_line_height=”1.4em” header_font=”Prata||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#2d2121″ header_font_size=”100px” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”92%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”-24px||50px||false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”” custom_margin_phone=”14px|15px|0px|15px|false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” text_font_size_tablet=”18px” text_font_size_phone=”15px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_font_size_tablet=”96px” header_font_size_phone=”50px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400|| ||” global_colors_info=”{}”]
Worker Story<\/h2>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|700|||||||” text_font_size=”19px” text_line_height=”1.5em” header_font=”Prata||||||||” header_text_align=”center” header_text_color=”#2d2121″ header_font_size=”100px” header_2_font=”|800|||||||” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”92%” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”|260px|31px|109px|false|false” custom_margin_tablet=”||33px||false|false” custom_margin_phone=”||||false|false” custom_margin_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding=”|19px||22px|false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”18px” text_font_size_phone=”15px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|desktop” header_font_size_tablet=”96px” header_font_size_phone=”50px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_css_main_element=”font-weight: 400|| ||” global_colors_info=”{}”]
It\u2019s The Long Way Home Everyday For Sheela<\/b><\/h2>\n
By Sandhya Soman & Sharmada Kaushik<\/span><\/h4>\n
Money Matters<\/b><\/h3>\n