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The Hamal Panchayat has assured economic and social
security for the unskilled workers of Pune
In the
narrow streets of Bhawani Peth is the office of the Hamal Panchayat, an
organisation that works for the development of the porters (hamals
in the local Marathi) or unskilled workers of Pune, Maharashtra.
For generations the hamals had been
deprived of basic housing, education and medical facilities. Being
employed in the unorganised sector, they had no collective bargaining
power. All that changed when Baba Adhav, who was involved in the trade
union movement in Mumbai, started the Panchayat with 500 porters drawn
from the markets of Tel Bazaar and Gol Bazaar in the Bhawani Peth
area.
The Hamal Panchayat launched a long
struggle, following which the state government passed the Maharashtra
Mathani Hamal Ka!
noon in 1969. It allowed the porters to have labour welfare benefits such
as provident fund (PF) and the gratuity fund. The contract labour system
for porters was also abolished, allowing porters to earn better
wages.
The Panchayat simultaneously works for
the social development of the community, ensuring that the porters have
access to essential facilities like banks and transportation. It started a
community kitchen near its Bhawani Peth office where cheap and nutritious
food for as many as 15,000 people is served at a nominal price of Rs 5 per
meal. This kitchen was started in 1974 and now employs about 200 cooks
with 12 branches (shakhas) all over Pune.
It has also built the Hamal Bhavan, with its own
resources, where cultural activities and meetings are arranged. The Hamal
Panchayat Kashtakari Vidyalay, a school for the children of this
community, functions from these premises.
The
!
Hamal Panchayat has provided housing facilities for porters and members of
other trading communities. While the government alloted land, Dena Bank
extended financial assistance to build Hamal Nagar, a co-operative housing
society comprising 190 flats.
Says Baba Adhav,
"Our organisation is also helping rag-pickers and child labourers in
the city, and we have floated a platform for hawkers which is called the
Pathari Vyavsahik Panchayat."
The Hamal
Panchayat has made a remarkable difference to the economic, social and
cultural development of Pune's hamals, a clear demonstration
of the change that collective effort and a sound organisation can bring
about.
Contact: The Hamal
Panchayat
Co The Rickshaw Panchayat
&nbs!
p;
Plot number 89, New
Timber Market
Bhawani-Peth, Pune 411 002
Maharashtra, India
Tel: 91-20-635
6799
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