Rural Education and Development Foundation (Read Foundation)

Since 1996, the READ Foundation has mapped and organised women home-based workers in various regions, including Vellore and Chennai districts. It identified workers in activities such as Gem cutting, Pot making, thatched roofing, flower joining, and housekeeping across 250 Panchayat villages. The Home-Based Women Workers Federation, formed in 2004, ensures these women receive Government and social welfare benefits. Notably, flower joiners are recognized by the Tamilnadu welfare board. In an international effort, the READ Foundation hosted an event in 2004, forming an international federation for home-based women workers, uniting representatives from India and other countries to safeguard their rights and interests.

READ Foundation, in collaboration with CARE T, successfully executed two vital projects - SUMANGALI (April 2016 to December 2019) and ROWCL (April 2013 to March 2016) in Pudukkottai district. Aimed at eliminating exploitative working conditions in Southern India's textile industry, the projects focus on preventing underage recruitment and rehabilitating young girls and women workers. Identified girls receive psycho-social support, life skill training, and educational assistance. Village-level groups prevent school dropouts and promote the importance of girls' education. Beneficiaries are connected to Government schemes, receiving INR 1,24,28,000 and legal support for compensation. Over 6,000 girls have benefited, gaining skills and improving their socio-economic conditions for a decent life in the community.

The READ Foundation, through its RAGS Project, addresses the significance of the textile industry as the second-largest employer in Tamil Nadu, particularly in Pudukkottai, a major source destination for women workers. Focusing on 120 Panchayat villages in Annavasal, Viralimalai, and Kunnandar Kovil blocks, the Foundation sensitizes women workers to life skills, labour laws, health, hygiene, and Government welfare schemes. With the project implemented from 2010 to 2013 and supported by Women Workers Worldwide in the UK, READ Foundation aims to create peaceful working conditions, empowering women in the textile sector and fostering a positive impact on their lives.

The READ Foundation, through the ETI – UK Project (Ethical Trading Initiative), engages in community outreach programmes to eradicate exploitative practices in the textile and garment industries. The initiative focuses on empowering current, potential, and former women workers in selected source communities, irrespective of caste and religion, through education and workers' rights. Implemented in the Cuddalore district, the project involves mapping existing facilities, conducting awareness at district and block levels, collaborating with local bodies, providing legal support, and organising sensitization programmes for parents and the public. It emphasizes the involvement of Government authorities, sensitizing Panchayat Raj Institutions and women's self-help groups, strengthening community structures, and promoting ethical recruitment practices in the workplace.

The READ Foundation, through the SEW Project from April 2016 to December 2019, provides support for the education of young former textile women workers. The initiative enables them to continue their education at the school and college levels, and successfully complete technical courses in areas such as nursing and computer education. These efforts have resulted in the placement of these individuals in decent jobs within hospitals, and institutions, and the establishment of their businesses in the Pudukkottai and Trichy regions.