The Kerala Labor Movement (KLM), an initiative by the labor commission of Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC), is planning to float a trade union for shops and establishment workers in the state. Joseph Jude, chairman of the Unorganized Workers Trade Union Alliance, said, “It is part of our effort to bring together people working in unorganized sectors.” Earlier at a meeting of the Kerala Fish Workers Forum (KFWF), a trade union for inland fisher folk at Kadamakkudy, Jude had refuted the charges of playing politics. “This is the first meeting of KFWF in Ernakulam. Our meeting is in no way linked to the Kerala Latin Catholic Association’s decision to field a candidate in Vypeen constituency. We have no political affiliation. A forum is already active in Kollam.” tnnKFWF is constituted with the support of Ernakulam Social Service Society functioning under the Archdiocese of Verapoly. KLM maintained that they held the meeting to take forward programmes to improve employment opportunities of fisher folk, and also to provide a better understanding on fish resources and aqua culture. “So far, all such activities were centered around fishing communities. Our focus is on inland fishermen,” he added. Jude said apart from fisher folk, KLM was able to organize tailors and domestic workers. “We have formed eight forums in the unorganized sector, and of this, six have been registered as trade unions,” he added.
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