Women tobacco workers win historic wage increase in Ahmedabad, India

More than 15,000 women workers employed as home-based beedi (cigarette) workers in Ahmedabad in the north western state of Gujarat have won a 15% wage increase through collective bargaining. The women beedi workers are members of the IUF-affiliated Self Employed Women’s Association (SEWA).

In the neighbouring state of Rajasthan SEWA successfully organized beedi workers in 2010, negotiating an initial 78% wage increase and progressively raising wages each year through collective bargaining. This year beedi workers organized by SEWA in Rajasthan won a 12% wage increase.