Read this article in:
English
20 July, 2026Building more inclusive unions is about more than increasing participation. Young workers and women have just as much of a stake in the future of the labour movement as anyone else. Creating space for them to shape decisions, take on leadership roles and strengthen their unions is essential to building a movement that truly reflects the workers it represents.
That future was already visible in Nagpur, where nearly 70 per cent of participants were attending an IndustriALL meeting for the first time. On 13–14 July, young trade unionists, women leaders and senior union representatives came together under the IndustriALL–Union to Union Building Inclusive Unions project to develop practical strategies for strengthening youth leadership, building second-tier leadership and creating more representative union structures.
Youth meeting sets roadmap for stronger union structures
Participants agreed that organizing must remain the movement’s top priority, particularly among young, contract and precarious workers. They developed action plans centred on grassroots organizing, targeted membership campaigns, leadership development, mentorship and stronger use of digital tools to engage young workers. Participants also exchanged organizing experiences across affiliates, identifying practical approaches that could be adapted across sectors.
Senior union leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening youth and women committees across affiliated unions and ensuring that increased participation translates into meaningful representation and decision-making responsibilities.
Sanjay Vadhavkar, general secretary of Steel, Metal & Engineering Workers’ Federation of India and IndustriALL executive committee member stated:
“Strong unions are built by developing leaders, not waiting for them to emerge. That means continuously creating pathways for young workers and women to take on greater responsibility.”
Sanjay Singh, general secretary of Indian National Electricity Workers Federation and IndustriALL executive committee member added:
“The continued growth of our movement depends on young workers and women. By bringing them into leadership, we build stronger unions, increase membership and give the trade union movement new direction.”
Women leaders focus on building inclusive workplaces
The meeting was followed by a national women’s meeting on 15–16 July, where participants developed strategies on occupational safety and health, gender-based violence and harassment, maternity protection, women’s leadership and stronger representation in decision-making bodies.
Participants also visited Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), touring both open-cast and underground mines to experience the working environment firsthand. The visit prompted discussions on what a truly inclusive mining industry should look like as more women enter the sector, including suggestions for practical improvements that would better support women workers. The visit was a reminder that making industries more inclusive is about more than opening doors to women, because it also means redesigning workplaces that were never built with them in mind.
Dhanyalakshmi Karthikeyan, representative from Working People Trade Union Council reflects:
“Understanding the basics of organizing, workers’ rights and labour laws gives young trade women unionists like me the foundation to represent workers with confidence.”
IndustriALL South Asia regional secretary, Ashutosh Bhattacharya, says:
“Creating space for young workers and women to lead is not simply about representation but about ensuring those with an equal stake in the future of work have a voice in shaping it.”