In a continuous endeavour of winning permanent employment, IUF affiliated CSMU at AB InBev India fought consistently with courage to win permanent employment for precarious employees.
India is the largest potential market for beer in the world with suitable demographics and around 23 million young population. For world’s largest beer company and premium beer brand manufacturer like Budweiser, AB InBev sees India as the fourth largest market globally and making new investments. But this investment mostly used for automation, digitalisation and new technology with very limited investment in safe & secure employment. Therefore, unions are constantly subject to pressure of multitasking, excessive workload, increased stress and job insecurity. CSMU in India used this opportunity to combat precarious employment and win permanent employment at AB InBev India.
In the middle of pandemic situation, AB InBev India decided to re-open the closed Foster site at Aurangabad in Maharashtra with new investment and CSMU demanded new recruitment with special focus on gender equality through their collective bargaining agreement proposal. It became the first Indian brewery with gender balance in workmen category.
The union also ensured new investment to install new manufacturing line of premium beer brand like Budweiser and after successful launch of Budweiser beer brand manufacturing, the union started demanding more secure employment to continue producing best quality products. Before making any progress, AB InBev India management delayed and denied but regular follow up with hard struggles, the union successfully negotiated secure employment.
The union also provided all the required support to ensure skill development of these workers, representation with the company and awareness on worker rights through regular education & training activities of the IUF Asia Pacific. https://iufap.org/category/quality-apprenticeship/
In contemporary situation, when unions are experiencing a rise in precarious employment in food system, this victory brings a hope for others to continue their fight for secure employment.