A tragic fire in a textile sweatshop fueled an Argentinian workers’ movement to form co-operatives and obtain legal rights. Epifania “Fanny” Espinola Garcia well remembers that electrical fire in March 2006 that killed five children and a pregnant woman who worked and lived under appalling conditions. At the time, Fanny’s working conditions as a home-based textile...
Carlos Mariani doesn’t need the income for his work as an artisan, but he depends on it for survival. As a recovered alcoholic, 65-year-old Carlos needs meaningful work to occupy his hands and mind, and fill his days. So, when his wife goes to work, Carlos heads down two floors from his apartment near São...
In the beginning, all Edileuza Guimarães wanted was a memorable sweet-sixteen party. Now, she’s an accomplished caterer who co-founded and leads a 1200-member collective of home-based workers in Osasco, Brazil. The journey is less surprising considering her heritage. “I’m the daughter of a trade unionist and a working-class woman,” she said. “I grew up never...
Many home-based workers are also caregivers, but for Marianet López Valenzuela caregiving is a 24/7 responsibility. She rises early every morning to get in a few hours work before her 73-year-old mother wakes at 11. Some days Rosa, who suffers with senile dementia, is able to dress and eat independently and helps prepare food, household...
Jaqueline “Jaque” Serrano found support in her neighbourhood’s gender violence group, now the seamstress shares inspiration and information globally as a member of HomeNet International’s Gender Committee.“I have many, many colleagues who have been beaten by their partners,” said Jaque with a grimace. “There is a lot of violence, physical, economic and also verbal.” One...
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