This article was written by Farnaaz Majiet from the Labour Research Service in Cape Town. Farnaaz was a local facilitator, responsible for implementing the international study circle on women and the global food industry. The article provides a useful account of how local participants experience and benefit from the ISC method. Shortly after this article was written, Farnaaz was killed tragically in a car accident. IFWEA pays tribute to Farnaaz, a young and dynamic woman activist deeply committed to the empowerment and education of workers in South Africa.

Why the international food industry?

The international food industry emerged as an appropriate theme as it brings together issues typifying globalisation and highlights changing gender relations in the world of work. The overwhelming majority of workers in the food industry are women. Women make up at least 40% of the membership of the International Union of Food Workers (IUF). They are involved in planting, harvesting, processing, retailing, selling, preparing and serving the food we eat. Increasingly, the food industry is dominated by large transnational corporations. The operations of these TNC's have impacted dramatically on people's working lives, the quality of food, health and the production of food. For example, the high proportion of pesticides used in modern food production is a serious problem for both workers and consumers.

In this context, the aims of this ISC were to:

• Develop a critical understanding of the changing circumstances in which women workers are employed in the production and retailing of food under conditions of globalisation.
• Enable women workers to act on their understanding, by building alliances and engaging in campaigns and struggles through their trade unions and community organisations.

Setting up local groups

Local study circles were set up in each of the countries represented at the international facilitators’ preparatory workshop held in Cape Town in August 1999. Participating countries included Sweden, Norway, England, Finland, Estonia, Bulgaria, Peru, Philippines, Egypt, Zimbabwe and South Africa. Active women trade unionists working in food production, hotel and restaurants, trade, retail and agricultural sectors were targeted for the programme.

In South Africa we had two local study circles, one in Cape Town and another based in Johannesburg. Both study circles included women from the Food and Allied Workers’ Union (FAWU), South African Agricultural Plantation Allied Workers’ Union (SAAPAWU), National Union of Farm Workers (NUFW), National Union of Food Beverage Spirits and Allied Workers’ (NUFBSAW), Hotel and Restaurant Workers’ Union of South Africa (HARWUSA) and the South African Commercial, Catering and Allied Workers Union (SACCAWU). Twelve trade unionists participated in Cape Town and thirteen in Johannesburg.

Evaluation by participants

Participants commented that they realised that women in SA are not isolated in their struggles. " We learnt about unfair labour practices, abuse of women, child labour and what was happening in other participating countries. Workers all over the world are struggling".

We also exchanged ideas on difficulties women experience, many of which we assumed did not affect women in developed countries. Participants in developed countries were understanding and expressed empathy towards our difficulties. For example, the case of access to full treatment for HIV/AIDS sufferers is available in Sweden but not in SA. Through this programme, groups in different countries managed to build relationships with each other thereby strengthening international workers' solidarity.

We were all from different unions in different parts of the world but we realised that we all faced the same exploitation and oppression. This enabled us to communicate and work together well. This programme was effective in helping us to understand issues at our workplaces and in communities. " It helped me help others about rights for women and also what difficulties women in our country and other countries face".

• Going home late at night: Some felt it would have been better if we met during the day as they were tired in the evening and their concentration was not good. Time off for shop stewards needs to be gained for ISC activities, which are both educational and organisational. Arranging time off was not possible for all the women in the group, forcing us to meet after working hours.

• Transport: Due to the bad transport system in SA, special arrangements had to be made to transport participants home at night. These alternative transport arrangements were not always reliable causing problems for the participants.

• Language: Discussions in the Cape Town study circle were conducted in English and Afrikaans. At times English and Xhosa speaking participants had a problem with Afrikaans.

• Country Reports: Because of limited time, sufficient discussion of all reports from other study circles was not possible.

• Gaps in the course content: Participants felt that a session on Parental rights and childcare, focusing on women in the agricultural industry should have been included.

Positive outcomes of the ISC experience

• Understanding of TNC's

Participants have a better understanding of how TNC's operate and their role and power all over the world. They have a better understanding of their own companies as well as other local companies which form part of major TNC groups. "I learnt that TNC's oppress workers and that they do not care about people". The women feel empowered by their increased knowledge of TNC's but realise that they have to learn more about it, the complex operations in and between TNC's, and how everything fits into the "trade trap".

• Gaining an understanding of global issues

Through this course participants felt they learnt about globalisation and the challenges which it poses for workers on an international level. "I've learnt a lot about global issues and seeing globalisation being so cruel to poor countries, which do not have resources". After the ISC experience their understanding extends beyond the problems workers deal with in SA, to an understanding of the struggle of workers globally. " I learnt about global issues affecting KFC, and Coca-Cola. I realised that the global issues workers face are the same".

• The Group

We developed a close stable relationship. Members of the study circle were experienced and committed shop stewards who participated in all sessions. We were serious about our aims in the course. The fact that participants were from different unions and federations, with differing political and organisational orientations did not hamper communication and co-operation.

• Using the Internet

In the Cape Town group, we included Internet and E-mail training for all the participants. TULEC/LRS now has an Internet Centre that will be used for training workers and union members on how to use the internet for education purposes, building links and solidarity with trade unionists and workers in other countries and for international and local campaigning.

Participants found the experience of learning to use the communications technology very empowering and many commented: " It is not that difficult"; "it seemed so complicated, but now at least I know it will only take some time before I can also be connected"; " when I look at the computer at work again, I will know it is not so difficult to operate as the boss wants us to believe". Since we introduced the Internet and e-mail training, participants tended to come to sessions earlier so that they could have extra time to "browse the Net".

Participants also feel more confident to take on the challenges they face. " I now know shop stewards from other unions and other countries, what issues they deal with at their workplaces and what they have achieved". "It gave me a broader understanding of communication using the Internet".

Using the Internet proved to be very effective since it provided access to women in other countries. It is a time and cost saving, exciting and a fresh way of communicating. "It was good to get the responses and opinions from the other circles. I never knew that many things we deal with are the same, like rich countries also having many domestic workers. Many of our experiences are the same". " It is a very useful tool for communication. I propose that we continue with the Internet training because not all of us understand it".

The group strongly expressed the need for us to continue with Internet and E-mail training since they realised the profound role information technology could play in promoting workers' struggles internationally.

International consciousness, co-operation and solidarity

Participants learnt about important similarities and differences between the groups, such as the products being exported and imported between countries. They are now more aware of the origin and destinations of products.

Participants proposed that all the groups should participate in international campaigns. We have not decided what the demands and issues should be, but are confident that the women in this programme will participate meaningfully.

Participants also called for exchange programmes to be set up with other study circle participants, visiting each other's countries and workplaces. " We must continue the ISC and include more people". " We can produce a booklet so that shop stewards here and in other countries can learn about what is happening elsewhere and how workers deal with issues".

International solidarity

South African participants built independent relationships with some of the other women. Women from FAWU in Cape Town are liasing with women from the ISC in Bulgaria, around collective bargaining with Nestle. FAWU organises workers at Nestle in SA and two of the Bulgarian women were also Nestle workers. They are exchanging collective agreements and other useful information.

We are also in the process of setting up an informal programme of exchange of experiences between grassroots women trade unionists in Brazil and South Africa, strengthening relations between women of the South.

Exchanges will focus on experiences of globalisation, building international solidarity and strategising responses to challenges women workers face. This initiative is flowing from our increased access to media and technology. Women trade unionists involved in this exchange will write short articles on specific challenges workers face, their understanding, experiences and possible ways of dealing with it. We aim to start with the women in the global food ISC and textile/clothing industries.

The way forward

We felt that we should continue to communicate through all possible means, writing, E-mail or even telephonically. We agreed to share plans and keep ourselves updated about what is happening in each other's countries and area of work. "We must maintain contact with the other participating countries. We can also write to other ISC members at their personal addresses". " Everybody involved in the programme should meet".

Participants want more Internet training, workshops on women's rights and labour law. We have to increase our education to have a fair chance to participate in our workplaces, the economy and our communities. There should also be a follow up programme later in the year to increase our understanding of some issues which were not so clear. " We must continue with the exchange of reports between countries". " This programme should have been much longer because we are only just starting to really understand and sharing our knowledge with fellow workers and comrades". "This programme must be ongoing; it should not end here. Women must organise other women for a purpose. We could produce a booklet about the programme and our experiences. We can also organise around other issues affecting women".

• The Cape Town study circle agreed to joining the TULEC/LRS's Evening Seminar and Study Circles Programme. This is a monthly public education programme where topical issues affecting unions and workers are discussed.

• We plan to have Internet and E-mail training for all the women in the study circle later during the year.