The Work in Dignity Fellowship (WID) was launched in August 2023 to support independent activists working on securing labor rights for informal workers in geographies where such work has been limited thus far. The fellowship currently supports 18 labor rights practitioners who work with diverse worker groups across 11 states. Collectively, the WID fellows engage with thousands of workers involved in various sectors, including industrial work (cycle, brassware, steel), sanitation, textile and carpet industries, construction, tea plantations, domestic work, and home-based work. The program places a special emphasis on enhancing access to legal aid, promoting worker collectivization, and spearheading interventions aimed at improving occupational safety and social protection.

Fellows are supported through a combination of learning workshops, capacity-building sessions, mentorship, and networking opportunities, along with financial aid to cover basic living expenses. Thus far, two learning workshops have been conducted to foster collaboration and strengthen the fellows’ expertise in different domains relevant to labor rights action. Our learning sessions bring together a range of subject experts, practitioners, and scholars who provide insights into aspects like labor law, principles of organizing, and strategies for advancing workers’ rights.

The programme offers fellows a forum to come together and build a community of like-minded practitioners, and envision collective movement-building processes. This shared space promotes solidarity and collaboration, laying the foundation for sustained and impactful labor rights action.