IndustriALL asks, “Is this the society we want?”

Do we want a society in which a large proportion of the workers, if not sometimes the majority of them, feel abandoned, excluded and marginalized because of their employment status?

"I am a temporary agency worker in a chemical MNC doing the same work in the same company since 13 years ago. I have to work 12 hours a day instead of 8 and if I reject to work, immediately my job is replaced by another temporary worker. In India, many workers are waiting for a job and ready to accept a low wage, so my job is easily replaced. I am not able to meet and enjoy with my friends and family due to long working hours, so that sometimes I feel that society is ignoring me." Veeranna, precarious worker in the chemical sector, India

“I have been a contract worker in coal mining for the last 12 years. I always feel a lack of appreciation and marginalized by society.” Ansari, precarious worker in the coal-mining sector, India

“When I was a contractual worker, I never felt really part of the company. Contractual workers are the first to be let go during a lean season.” William, recently became a permanent worker in the garment sector”, Philippines

“Having a permanent job gives me the opportunity to plan my future and to engage in volunteer political work, and to make a social contribution to the society”, Marvin, permanent worker in the metal sector, Germany

Do we want a society in which workers struggle without security or stability?

“The company doesn’t want to be accountable for their employees. Contract workers are totally confused because their job isn’t stable. They seem to be living with a problem all the time in terms of salary, in terms of safety, in terms of health care.” Barthelemy, precarious worker in the mining sector, Madagascar

“Living with the constant threat that your hours may be cut is not acceptable and can leave me wondering if come Christmas I will be able to pay my bills. This company has no interest in its employees and employing us on zero hour contracts sums them up.” Craig, precarious worker in the manufacturing sector, UK

“I have had both employment status. Stability produces a permanent feeling of wellness, avoiding anguish and frustration because you are not precarious. Personally I think the most important is emotional stability.” Pablo Sebastian, permanent worker in the rubber sector, Argentina

Do we want a society offering mostly exhausting low quality jobs that do not enable workers and their families to live in decent conditions or build any project?

“Despite 12 years of service, I could not save any money and now I am worried about my daughter’s wedding and my future retirement.” Ansari, precarious worker in the coal-mining sector, India

“I am a temporary worker working 12 hours a day without a paid overtime policy.” Josphein, precarious worker in the textile sector, Pakistan

“After more than 10 years of service in the cement industry as a contract worker, I was not allowed to take any medical leave and no medical facilities were provided by the company or government. I am always under fear as my job is temporary with low wages, I am getting old now and how will I lead my family when I become medically unfit to work. I have to work for my family until I am unable and I will never enjoy my retirement.” Anup, precarious worker in the cement sector, India

“Precarious work is more tiring but you earn less. I am unable to save money because I always receive my salary three months late.” Foolo, precarious worker in the mining sector, Togo

“There is nothing worse than not being able to get a permanent job unless you are able to have additional activities that generate income.” Elom, precarious worker, Togo

“Being a permanent worker, I work to live, I don’t live to work.” Charlotte, permanent worker in the metal sector, UK

“I worked at Chery’s plant. It was a decent job with a good atmosphere, decent salary and good health and safety conditions. I had working time that allowed me to be with my family with the knowledge that I would not have an accident at work.” Pablo, automotive industry, Uruguay

Do we want a society where women workers are unprotected because of their employment status?

“I am a temporary worker and have no policy of maternity leave. Only maternity leave without pay.” Rahela, precarious worker in the textile sector, Pakistan

“I am a contract worker in a company located in Bogor. My job is not stable; it means the company can very easily transfer me from one department to another every three months. Also the company prohibited me to get married during my job contract. I hope the union will fight for me so that I can become a permanent member of staff.” Rahmawati, precarious worker in the textile sector, Indonesia

"We work long hours, there is no compensation in the case of accidents, and we work at night as women. The union should come and rescue us from this bondage!” Joy, precarious worker in the plastics sector, Uganda

“Because I have a permanent contract I can receive benefits like the pension plan, unemployment and health insurance. I have my own house and because I was a mother, my company could not fire me during two years. I was also able to stay with my little girl during my six months paid maternity leave.” Nicole, permanent worker in the metal sector, Chile

“As a permanent worker, my job is protected. I don’t have to wake up one morning with someone telling me not to come to work. As a permanent worker, if your boss pressurizes you to go with him, you can say “NO”; which you cannot do as a precarious worker, you are forced to be ‘nice’ to the boss.” Elonwa, permanent worker in the oil sector, Nigeria

Do we want a society with workers unable to meet the basic needs of their family or to afford education for their kids?

“With my very low salary as a temporary agency worker, it is too expensive for me to send my 3 children to school. My daughter had to stop school at 16. My oldest son became a temporary contract worker himself when he had to stop school at 14.” Bapu, precarious worker, India

“Our finances are usually in dire straits every five months or so, and most likely, I have to apply for another contractual job, again. Thus, I have learned to scrimp on the family’s budget for food. Because it is the only expense item in our meager household budget that I am in control of!” Elvie, precarious worker in the garments sector, Philippines

“I am at my wit’s end how to raise the two kids at home. No clothes for them to wear. I use ropes instead of belts for them. If there is a family problem I just watch, my salary can’t even cover my rent and my food, so I can’t take other responsibilities.” Fuejo, precarious worker in the mining sector, Madagascar

“As a permanent worker, I have been able to buy a house, and educate my children. This is possible because I know I have a job this month, next month and next year.” Glenda, permanent worker in the metal sector, Trinidad and Tobago

"I am happy to have a permanent job, so I can enable my children to obtain a good education. Still, I am afraid that my children will not be able to have a permanent job." Ilvana, permanent worker in the chemicals sector, Bosnia and Herzegovina

“I have been a permanent worker in the cement industry for over 15 years. My family has medical insurance and I am able to send my kids for good and technical studies. I can raise my voice in my company and am able to save some money also for my future and my retirement.” Devendra, permanent worker in the cement sector, India

Do we want a society that prevents young workers to plan their life and start building their project?

“Sometimes I argue with my son. Especially when he comes home after the last day of a temporary contract! He is then in a very low state of mind and we must motivate him every time again. It creates tension, but as long as I work, he can stay home. Young people who cannot count on this kind of support quickly fall into poverty.” Robert, Father of a young precarious worker (FGTB), Belgium

“When our training was over and we got a diploma (after two years), they said we can’t hire you, so we are going to get you to work for a subcontractor. Now we can say our career is totally ruined because now we are jobless, and we don’t study. I’ve got my goals, to get married, children, family, have a household. Now I am broke, no job, so those goals are a long shot and it will be late." Laubien, precarious worker in the mining sector, Madagascar

“We wanted to buy a house as my fiancée has a permanent job, and I am working as an temporary agency worker regularly for the same company. We thought it would be possible, but NO! Now we are trying to rent a house, but we realize it will not be easy! We have to find an owner who will accept to trust us as if we were kids.” Flavio, young precarious worker (FGTB), Belgium

“They should not outsource our lives and make our dream precarious! We want our lives and dreams to be permanent!” Young permanent worker in the metal sector, Argentina

“I am happy to have my own place. Thanks to a permanent contract I could access a home loan more easily, this is a great achievement in my life.” Wilmer, young permanent worker in the electrical sector, Colombia

“Since I have a permanent contract, I can plan my future. I do not need to worry about being able to feed my family in the future. And I am not dependent on anybody financially.” Felina, young permanent worker in the metal sector, Germany