Tamilnadu Labourers’ Rights Federation (TLFR) Unit

TLFR is an effort to organise predominantly Arunthathiyar and Tribal unorganized workers and register them as members of labour unions. At present, there are four unions in Dindigul, Madurai and Virudhunagar districts, with members from Kodaikanal, Sattur, Sivakasi, Oddanchathiram, Vaadippatti and Thirumangalam taluks. They are:

• Kodaimalai Ambedkar Unorganised and Construction Workers Welfare Right Union, Kodaikanal (300/DGL);
• Virudunagar District Chemmalar Unorganised and Construction Workers Welfare Union, Sivakasi (409/VDR);
• Sattamethai Ambedkar Unorganised and Construction Workers Welfare Right Union, Oddanchathiram (387/DGL), and
• Aathithamizhar Democratic Workers General Welfare Union, Madurai (1551/MDU).

The objective of TLRF is to improve the working conditions and standard of life of the workers. It monitors the legal activities of the unions and lends administrative skills and organizational support to obtain benefits from the government welfare programmes. By linking the Arunthathiyar workers in all the districts of the state, through these four labour unions, TLRF provides a platform to place Arunthathiyars’ and unorganized workers’ issues on the public agenda. With almost 80% of women as members in the labour unions, TLRF advocates gender sensitization and inclusion of women for a dignified life.