Miland Renade

Bringing Marginalized in India into the Labor Rights Mainstream - standing up for human rights

Milind Ranade comes from a long line of workers’ rights activists and is currently helping to organize the most unrepresented of these workers. Milind founded an alternative labor union that counters discrimination against the "untouchables”, the lowest caste of people living in India, who scavenge in municipal garbage dumps. The alternative labor union raises the untouchables’ social status to that of a full and equal citizen.

Milind Ranade recognized that people who collect and sort garbage provide an important service to Indian cities, and began campaigning for their constitutional rights as workers. His efforts have made it possible for scavengers to communicate with Bombay’s mainstream human rights and labor advocates and have created opportunities for members to address serious problems affecting their communities, including alcoholism, drug abuse, domestic violence, and illiteracy.

Standing up for the principles of the Universal Declaration
Article 23 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights affirms the rights of workers to "just and favorable conditions of work". As part of a Decent Work agenda, governments, business and civil society continue to implement decent work programs in an effort to promote fair employment.

Learn more:

• Miland Renade's Ashoka Profile
• Rising From the Ash Heap: Waste Collectors Assert Their Humanity

Submitted by Realizing Rights