Christian Workers' Movement India:::::::www.cwmindia.org:::::::

27th General Assembly Meeting at NBCLC, Bangalore:
(DECENT WORK FOR ALL & WOMEN EMPOWERMENT)

The Christian Workers’ Movement India has conducted the 27th National General Assembly and National Seminar on the topic of “DECENT WORK FOR ALL & WOMEN EMPOWERMENT” at NBCLC, Bangalore from 4th July to 6th July 2008. 85 delegates participated from the various dioceses all over India.

Rt. Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios, Chariman, CBCI Labour Commission inaugurated the program and an input on workers spirituality. Further he told that work is a gift of God and there is no substitute for hard work. He appreciated the efforts of the CWMI for its dedicated services towards this end. Most Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore was the chief guest for this program. He told that the Christian workers are involving themselves for the up liftment of the un-organized workers.
Mr. M. D. Joseph Antony Manchanayake, President CWM Sri Lanka and another 3 delegates participated. They were very happy and shared their views on the both countries activities.

During the Seminar session Mrs. Gracelet Stanley, and Mr. Joy Alex, Professors of St. Joseph’s College, Bangalore, were the resource persons. They spoke on the topics of “Women Empowerment” and “Awareness on un-organized Workers” respectively. They also elaborated the rights of the women and the un-organized workers. Mr. Jomon Cherussery, President spoken on the topic of “Decent work for all”. Rev. Fr. V. Louis, National Chaplain explained the “Role of the church on the un-organized workers”.

The National Chaplain Rev. Fr. V. Louis conducted a meeting for Diocesan’s chaplains. The Chairman also spoke to the chaplains about the role of Priests in CWM.

At the end of the General Assembly Rev. Fr. V. Louis, the National Chaplain conducted the election and the following members were elected for the next 2 years of 2008 - 2010.

S. No

Designation

Names

Diocese

President

Vice President

General Secretary

Joint Secretary

Treasurer

Exco. Member

Mr. Jomon Cherussery

Mr. Macbeth D’ Souza

Mr. M. Rajamani

Mr. G. A. Mangalaraj

Mr. B. Rocky Green

Mr. A. Joseph

Mr. S. Justin Durairaj

Mr. S. Pathinathan

Trichur

Mumbai

Chengalpattu

Kumbakonam

Bangalore

Poona

Kottar

Sivagangai

After the evaluation of programmes the following resolutions have been resolved during the General Assembly Meeting.

RESOLUTION

1. To send the requisition to the Prime Minister & Financial Minister to raise the workers P. F interest from 8.5% to 9.5% from this year 2008.

2. To send the Post Card Campaign to all the MPs for implementing the Social Security bill for the un- organized workers during the coming Parliament Session.

On 16th September 2008 the National Executive team elected 3 members by co-opted method.

Mr. E. C. Anto - Irinjalakkuda Diocese

Mrs. P. C. Reethamani - Chennai Diocese

Mrs. M. Juliet - Tuticorin Diocese

Net Working Program at Chennai:

Christian Workers’ Movement organized one day seminar at P. T. Arulappa Hall, Besant Nagar, Chennai on 11th October 2008. More than 2000 un-organized workers took part in this programme along with the Chennai and Chigleput CWM delegates. Mr. A. V. Johnson, President, Chennai Diocese a warm welcome. Most. Rev. Dr. A. M. Chinnappa, Archbishop of Madras – Mylapore Archdiocese inaugurated the program. He spoke about the need of having awareness on un-organized workers. Mr. Kumari Anandan, Former president TNCC spokes on the type of un-organized workers and how they enrolled in the Government Department for availing their benefits. Mr. V. G. Santhosham, Industrialist, delivered about the activities of the Christians especially for the downtrodden workers. The following other organization leaders also participated in the seminar & shared their activities.

Hon’ble I. Richard – Rtd. Judge, Chennai

2.       Mr. Soosairaj – NGO – Jeeva Jothi, Perambur, Chennai
3.       Mr. Xavierraj – President, Catholic Association, Chennai
4.       Mr. Rooban – Ex. YCW and Co-ordinator Cardijin Community International
5.       Mrs. Reethamani – National Executive Member, Chennai

Mr. M. Rajamani, General Secretary, spoke on the activities of the CWM India such as

Women Empowerment,

Decent living for Decent work,

Awareness on un-organized workers,

Implementation of the Micro – Credit system etc.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Manickam, Chaplain Chennai Diocese, also spoke on the un-organized workers’ problems and the realities of their situation etc. Mrs. Mary Stella, Chennai Diocesan Secretary thanked every one.

Zonal Programme:

International Women’s Day

CWM India & Neyyattinkara Integral Development Society (NIDS) were jointly celebrated the International Women’s day 2009 with Mass Rally and Public Meeting on March 8th 2009. The rally was inaugurated by the Parish priest of Cathedral Church and reached Akshiya Complex ground. More than 2600 women delegates participated in this programme. Rt. Rev. Dr. Vincent Samuel, Bishop of Neyyattinkara Diocese, Shri. Sakthan Nadar, M.L.A. spoken about the awareness of the women. Mrs. Usha Kumari, President, Block Panchayat, Parassala, talked about the women’s struggles and rights.

Regional Programme:

a.		Christian Workers' Movement India has organized the North Western Regional Programme on the topic of “Women Empowerment and Awareness on Un-organized Workers” at Prayer House, Jesus and Mary Convent, Khandala, Maharashtra on 17th & 18th January 2009. 42 members from the western Region Dioceses were participated in this programme. Rt. Rev. Lourdes Daniel, Bishop of Amravati Diocese was the chief guest and spokes about the Worker’s Spirituality.

b.		Southern Regional Training programme has conducted at Logos Pastoral Centre, Vilangamury, Neyyattinkara, Kerala, on 7th & 8th March 2009 on the topic of “Women Empowerment & Awareness on Un-organized Workers”. 70 delegates participated from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka Dioceses.

c.		Christian Workers' Movement India has organized the Central Regional Training Programme at Bishop Leopard Hall, Nagpur on 3rd May 2009 on the topic of “Awareness on un-organized Workers”. Mr. John, Chairman of Monfort Education Society, Nagpur was inaugurated the programme. Rev. Sr. Daya Mathew, SMMI Director Multipurpose Social Service, Nagpur spokes on “Women Empowerment”. Rev. Fr. Joe Quadros spoke about the Christian values and principles. During this programme Mr. Rajesh Jadhav, National Co-ordinator, Ecumenical Centre, explained about the problems faced by the un-organized workers in their life. 24 delegates were participated from Indore, Jabalpur and Nagpur Dioceses.

d.		Central Regional Training Programme has been conducted at St. Peter and Paul Cathedral Church Hall, Sadar, Jabalpur on 28th & 29th November 2009 on the topic of “Awarness on Un-organized workers”. More than 24 delegates were participated from Jabalpur, Nagpur and Poona diocese. Rev. Fr. Rocky Antony, Parish Priest Cathedral Church Jabalpur inaugurate the programme. Rev. Fr. Valan Arasu, Diocesan Chaplain spoken about “Lay Apostleship”. Mr. A. Joseph, National Exco. Member spoken CWM India’s activities. Mr. Joseph Baptist, Ex. YCW, talked about Cardinal Joseph Cardijn.

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