I was trained in YCW to develop actions”………Story of Gajendran

Gajendran, aged 35 is a National Team Member of YCW. He has been with YCW actively for last 6 years. He is a real young worker working in a spinning mill for the last 13 years, as full time regular workers. He has been trained as leader through actions. He says “I was involved in the actions for wage increase, and retirement benefits in my factory. I also accompanied the YCW members of Ethiload who developed actions for the wage increase for Applam making workers and flower picking workers”.

He lives with his wife and one son, one daughter in a small village Ethiload in the District Madurai of Tamil Nadu.. His wife, Ms. Selvakam has recently completed Diploma in nursing but yet to get a job as a Nurse. Hence she works as a Jasmine flower picker as peace rate worker in the village and gets Rs. 15 for per Kg of Jasmine flower. Wage rate was Rs. 12 for per kg, but due to action of YCW it has been raised to Rs. 15 from this year. Usually she picks the jasmine flower from morning 6.00 AM to 10.00 AM.

Their son and daughter study in a government primary school in standard 4 and 1 respectively. Since both Gajendran and his wife studied up to 10^th standard they have interest with their children’s study. Moreover, in Tamil Nadu the primary education is free of tuition fee. Government also provides uniform, books and lunch etc., free. With these incentives now literacy rate enhanced to 85% in Tamil Nadu, higher than many other states of India.

As a permanent worker Gajendran is covered under social security schemes of the factory also which is really good. Hence Gajendran is happy and they live like a happy family.

We hope all YCW members and other workers of India will be able to enjoy similar happy lives.