Farewell, Lakshmi

Remembering The Decades-long Support of Civdep's Board Member, Who Passed Away Recently

The Cividep team?is deeply saddened to share the news of Lakshmi Murthy's?passing last week. Lakshmi was Cividep's Governing Board member since the organisation's inception and lately, its treasurer. She was 52, and ailing for some time. She briefly worked for the organisation and helped set up its website.?

Lakshmi's quiet strength and unwavering support were instrumental in Cividep's journey.?Lakshmi, who was born and brought up in Bengaluru, was a communications professional, and a committed social activist. She was associated with various organisations, including Samraksha Foundation, Samuha Foundation and Lawyers Collective apart from Cividep.?She is survived by her parents?Keshava Murthy and Lalitha S, and?husband Deepak Samaga.

"'All the ups and downs that Cividep witnessed in its career did not deter her from the continuous support she gave me and the organisation - quietly but unflinchingly."

This is how Gopinath Parakuni, Cividep India?Founder and Director - Strategy, remembers her in this moving obituary. Lakshmi's presence will be missed, but her contributions to Cividep and her kind spirit will leave a lasting impact on all who knew her.

Is BRSR a turning point for Indian Companies?

Cividep India?recently organised a consultative workshop in New Delhi to discuss the potential of Business Responsibility and Sustainability Reporting (BRSR)?to promote human rights and labour rights standards in India. BRSR is a?recently implemented?framework, which mandates the top 1,000 listed companies to disclose information on their social and environmental impact alongside their financial performance. A Cividep team also sought inputs on?a draft briefing paper,?which examines the BRSR reports of leading garment companies. While participants acknowledged?the potential of BRSR to promote transparency around labour and environmental standards, it?also brought forth suggestions to strengthen the reporting framework.?Read a detailed report here.

Field Diary

Right to Health: Two electronics factory workers in Sriperumbudur, Tamil Nadu successfully applied for their Employee State Insurance (ESI) E-Pechan cards. They are now receiving medical treatment under the state health insurance scheme. They were made aware of this after attending Cividep’s study circles on social security benefits. One worker is currently undergoing treatment for thyroid issues at the ESI dispensary in Sriperumbudur. Another worker utilised her ESI card for a major surgery for her father at the main facility in Chennai. Cividep’s field staff has been educating workers about how ESI is not just medical insurance but a fundamental worker right and vital safety net to prevent debt traps.

Negotiating Fair Pay:?In Periyankuppam village, Ambur, Tamil Nadu, a group of home-based workers negotiated with their agent to raise the piece rate for hand stitching leather shoes by Re 1 for a pair of shoes. Previously, the workers were earning Rs. 17 per pair. The women workers pointed out that the piece rate for uppers has?remained unchanged for the past three years. Consequently, they insisted that the agent increase the rate, stating that they would not continue working otherwise. Eventually, the agent agreed to the new rate of Rs. 18 per pair.

Updates

Future of Work:?Executive Director Deepika Rao recently took part in?the 'International Conference on Decent Work & Corporate Social Responsibility' organised by WageIndicator Foundation with Flame University . Deepika (in pic?below) spoke about the crucial role of fair labour practices in the garment industry. The conference tackled the evolving #FutureOfWork, its impact on society, and how to navigate changes in legislation, worker representation, and climate action.

Collaboration for Change: A recent article by ARISA highlights?its collaborative efforts with Cividep, Paradigm Shift, and Dutch brands to improve working conditions in the garment supply chain, through the resumption of their?Factory Support Programme. The programme?aims to strengthen communication between workers and management, while also establishing robust grievance mechanisms at the factory level. Cividep has piloted?the project in Bengaluru. The team?conducted workshops and facilitated dialogue sessions between workers and management in several factories supplying to Dutch brands.?