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“We are against the anti-moral police that took action in the street to beat up people – mostly women whom they think is dressing or behaving immorally” says Prithvi T.S, “and we are not afraid to bring our message out”. Deepa Sai continued this discussion by explaining that since they joined UNITES – the union for IT people in India – as organisers in February 2009, they also took part in the 8^th March Women’s Day midnight rally to seek respect for women and to stop discrimination against women. A spontaneous campaign for women that was very successful was that UNITES members participated together with like minded people and organization - the women in India showered thousands of pink lingerie to an Indian Minister that made sexist remarks against women. Yes, he got the message loud and pink!

As part of the growing women workforce in India, these people represent the “New” faces of India women - Highly intelligent, well informed, multi-skilled and eager to make India a better place.

Women should be provided with a platform to form and voice their opinions – UNITES Professional can be the platform!

Constant reminders thru the media for women of “their” role in life…..or the lack of options??!!??

Anjela D’Souza said that this is not all – UNITES has started on the “Decisions for Life” campaign whereby the workers in the IT sector can now have a voice on their working rights and build the network with an aim to achieve better working conditions for all. It’s especially targeted for women in this industry so that they would have a conducive working environment.

Since February, the four organisers had contacted 250 IT and ITES workers in Bangalore and had managed to sign up 100 workers into UNITES. Having achieved this, they had a first gathering of these new members on 6Mar09 where 25 people participated in the first NgN (New Generation Network) that was specially designed to met the needs of these group of people. With the success of this NgN, the organisers are confident of organizing more such NgNs in future.

Many of the questions raised by the IT people is that they are extremely concern about the Global Down turn and the effects on their job security. As UNITES Professional is the only Union for IT and ITES employees in India it makes sense for the workers in these industries to join this union.

Starting April 2009, these organisers together with Bro. Prithviraj Lekkad President and Bro. Karthik General Sec of UNITES Professional will formulate a strategic road map to bring more activists together in building stronger network of IT people in India including expanding the existing network in New Delhi. UNITES has signed up 18,000 members in India and received about 50,000 hits in its websites monthly.

If you are interested to get more information or subscript to the UNITES Professionals newsletter, you can email them at info@unitespro.org and newsletter@unitespro.org