ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the Stri Shakti staff for being so
cooperative and forthcoming for the interview process. We would like to also thank
Mr. Kartik Dave sir for being a part of our CSR initiative. We would also like to thank
N.L. Chhabra maam for conducting the Breast Cancer Awareness programme which
benefitted our stakeholders immeasurably. We would like to thank Deepak bhaiya
for being a part of our CSR Initiative. We would like to thank all our classmates who
helped us in completing our project. And last but not the least we would like to
extend our gratitude to Valentine maam for giving us this opportunity to work on
this project and helping us understand our stakeholders better.

OBJECTIVE
1. To understand their issues relating to the work environment and work upon
them to improve it.
2. To bring to the notice of the relevant authority any discrimination faced by
them.
3. Propose a feasible solution to their problem
4. Help them through CSR initiative

INTRODUCTION
Shared resources and expertise help communities to identify key community issues,
set ambitious goals, and foster policies, programs and services that can strengthen
individuals, families and communities. CSR seeks to build community capacity and
improve the quality of life in communities. Through comprehensive efforts and
targeted action plans, communities can improve educational outcomes,
employment, and health and well-being of community.
Universities can revisit their roles, assume social responsibility and foster
sustainable development. A creative and an inspiring atmosphere allows new ideas
to arise and good practices to be exchanged.There are various areas of CSR,
universities can pay attention to these areas are: economic responsibility,
philanthropic responsibility, environmental responsibility, employee wellness and
health, employment of qualified lecturers and legal responsibility.
Universities have more students who have practical experience on the job and
whose prior learning experience can include formal, non-formal and informal
learning. Another important aspect of social responsibility is basic research in a
globalized context. A growing number of problems cannot be solved by specialists
of single disciplines alone, but through collaboration with other disciplines.

About Stri Shakti

Established in 1993, Stri Shakti is one of the Registered NGO. The programmes
proposed under Bhagidari scheme, Stri Shakti has evolved from an association of
just seven housewives to a 7,000-strong body that is seeking to inspire other selfhelp groups to emulate them and take contracts to run enterprises such as
canteens.

Stri Shakti is basically working on Women Upliftment and Children education. Stri
Shakti has vision of bringing up women of lower middle class below poverty line
those who cannot afford their basic necessities because of illiteracy, unemployment
& unawareness.
Stri Shakti is a place where women can work in their spare time for earning some
income for their family. Womens like to work in Kitchen keeping this in mind Stri
Shakti has formed various Self Help Group.
In Stri Shakti, women are educated according to their capability and ability so that
they can work with their full interest which helps them to earn income for their
family.

There Activity includes: -

1) Preparation of Food for schools

2) Anganwadi

3) Canteen

Projects undertaken by them include

Mid Day Meal Scheme: Stri Shakti is providing cooked mid day meal to all
children studying in Primary & Upper-Primary classes of Government and
aided schools. With the help of MDM Stri Shakti is contributing to gender
equality by creating employment opportunities for poor women.
Integrated Child Development Services: ICDS services are provided
through a vast network of ICDS centres, better known as "Anganwadis". Stri
Shakti is supplying Cooked food & Weaning Food to Anganwadi
They have also undertaken project from Govt. of Delhi for handling the
Canteen and providing quality food to the Govt. employees & visitors at Delhi
Secretariat.

Stri Shakti is one such active partner which follows norms of food safety with
security measures in the provision of hygienic cooked food in clean environment. It
ensures that each of its worker change the dress before entering the kitchens.The
symbolic significance of the Stri-shakti canteen is that the University is progressive
with respect to womens rights and would be fighting gender hierarchy in the
society.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Self Help Group
Self Help Groups are voluntarily formed informal groups.Self Help Group is a
participatory endeavour of people trying to secure three types of power- social,
political and economical- that would empower them and improve their lives
Evidences from various developing countries throughout the world have shown that
the poor can be helped by organizing themselves into Self Help Groups. Financial
service is only a small part of the success story and the more fundamental have
been voice, identity and empowerment.
Puhazhendi and Satyasai (2000) studied socio-economic impact of Self Help Groups:

About 58.6 per cent of the sample house hold registered an increase in assets
from pre to post Self Help Group situation.
Members were relatively more assertive on confronting with social evils and
problem situations and the groups significantly contributed to improve selfconfidence and the feeling of self worth of the members.

Social conditions of the members also considerably improved after joining the
Self Help Group.
The Self Help Group Bank linkage programme with better access to credit
brought increased income to the Self Help Group members.India has
numerous labour laws such as those prohibiting discrimination and child
labour, those that aim to guarantee fair and humane conditions of work,
those that provide social security, minimum wage, right to organize, form
trade unions and enforce collective bargaining.

Laws and Schemes

Indian labour laws are considered to be very highly regulated and rigid as compared
to those of other countries in the world. Whileconforming to the essentials of the
laws of contracts, a contract of employment must adhere also to the provisions of
applicable labour laws and the rules contained under the Standing Orders of the
establishment.
The Shops & Establishment Act
The Shops and Establishment Act is a state legislation act and each state has
framed its own rules for the Act. The object of this Act is to provide statutory
obligation and rights to employees and employers in the unauthorized sector of
employment, i.e., shops and establishments. This Act is applicable to all persons
employed in an establishment with or without wages, except the members of the
employers family.

Minimum Wages Act 1948

The Minimum Wages Act prescribes minimum wages for all employees in all
establishments or working at home in certain employments specified in the
schedule of the Act. Central and State Governments revise minimum wages
specified in the schedule. The Minimum Wages Act 1948 has classified workers as
unskilled, semi-skilled, skilled; and highly skilled.
Payment of Bonus Act 1965
The payment of Bonus Act provides for the payment of bonus to persons employed
in certain establishments on the basis of profits or on the basis of production or
productivity. The Act is applicable to establishments employing 20 or more persons.

Payment of Gratuity Act 1972

The Payment of Gratuity Act provides for a scheme for the payment of gratuity to all
employees in all establishments employing ten or more employees to all types of
workers. Gratuity is payable to an employee on his retirement/resignation at the
rate of 15 days salary of the employee for each completed year of service subject to
a maximum of Rs. 350,000.
Maternity Benefit Act 1961
The Maternity Benefit Act regulates the employment of the women in certain
establishments for a prescribed period before and after child birth and provides
certain other benefits. The Act does not apply to any factory or other establishment
to which the Employees State Insurance Act 1948 is applicable. Every women
employee who has actually worked in an establishment for a period of at least 80
days during the 12 months immediately proceeding the date of her expected
delivery, is entitled to receive maternity benefits under the Act. The employer is
thus required to pay maternity benefits and/or medical bonus and allow maternity
leave and nursing breaks.
Bhagidari Scheme seeks to promote a meaningful partnership between the Govt.
agencies and citizens, basically covering the provision of civic services. The
successful implementation of this approach requires the ability to understand public
needs, a high degree of innovation and willingness to adopt a problem - solving
approach. It utilizes processes and principles of multi-stakeholders (citizen groups, NGOs, the
Government) collaboration. The Government has made Bhagidari the root of all
developmental and welfare schemes.

Current Minimum Wage rate

METHODOLOGY
Primary: Research methods used is through semi structured Interview
method.We conducted interviews with the 8 women of Stri Shakti and 4 men

to understand their views.This method is used in conducting qualitative

research to understand the experiences of others.
Secondary: collected via the resources from internet (websites, articles and
journals) and books mainly online websites, published articles or journals the
data was collected from.

LIMITATION OF STUDY

They did not fully open up to us. This led to them giving safe answers to the
questions.
Responses given by women workers in the canteen may not reflect their
actual opinion.
We could not contact the owner of the NGO.
Organisational Constraints.

DEMOGRAPHICAL DATA

FINDINGS
So, on the basis of our questionnaire we found above data regarding the Stri-Shakti
canteen. People working in, are on the contract basis and are from the age group of
30-50 years. The women working here are employed under a Non-Governmental
Organisation known as Stri-Shakti. Given below are some of the findings regarding
the canteen, employees working under it and about their work life & situations: SUPPORT FROM STRI-SHAKTI
Women working in the canteen are provided with uniforms and sleepers that they
have to wear during their working hours. They can even have their lunch from the
canteen itself, for which there is no deduction in their salaries. Medical Facility is
also provided to them and is free of cost. In case, if they want money during an
emergency, they have an option of taking their salaries on advance basis. Apart
from these facilities, they are happy with the behaviour of their supervisor,
employer and customers (including students, professors and other staff members).
SALARIES & LEAVES
Employees have to work for 6 days a week and they are not allowed to take any
holiday, even in case of fever
or diseases. Earlier, they were paid extra money for
working on Saturdays but now it is included in their regular schedule, and they are
not getting any extra sum for it. Without taking any leave, the employees are paid
an extra sum of Rs.250 at the end of every month plus their salaries, but in case if
they take any leave their salaries are deducted on the day basis and they dont get
this extra sum of Rs.250.
DISCRIMINATION
Gender discrimination within the employees was also found in terms of wages and
work. From the above data table, it is found that there is discrimination between
males and females regarding their salaries and wages. By interviewing them, it was
found that women are paid only Rs.3500 whereas men are paid Rs.6900-7200 as
salaries for a month. Also, it was found that all the sweeping and cleaning work of
floors, cooking slabs, pottery and utensils is performed only by female employees
and there is absence of taking initiatives from mens side in such kind of work. So,
there is gender discrimination regarding the type of work also.

LACK OF EDUCATION AND AWARENESS

There was lack of education amongst the employees. Most of them studied up to 8 th
or 10th standard, didnt even completed their schooling. They are not aware about
what is going on in their nearby surroundings. Recently our prime minister has
launched pension schemes that are favourable for the poor people, and they didnt
even know about it. So, lack of awareness regarding schemes, policies, and their
own rights was found that is due to the lack of education, which is a major
contributor to poverty.

BENEFITS PROVIDED

Pickup and Drop service given to each woman worker.

Medical benefits

Rs 250/- bonus for the month if no leave taken

Occasional trip to Mumbai facility.

CURRENT ISSUES

Meager salary, less than NFLMW

Requests to revise the salary not entertained
No fixed break timings, 10 min allotted to have lunch.
Rs 350/- per day fine for leave.
No job security.
The women are scared of the management.
Deteriorating state of the kitchen
Waterlogging during rainy season
Water dipping through the roof
Working environment becomes very hot during summers due to steel
roof

Room Allotted

CSR INITIATIVE

PROPOSAL
Stakeholder Committee
A body consisting of university representatives, student representatives, 1 representative from the
Stri Shakti Canteen workers and 1 external CSR advisor. The main objective of the committee
would be to safeguard the rights of the workers and uplift their social and economic status. The
aim of the committee would be to ensure that the workers are paid at least the minimum wage by
applicable law and provided all legally mandated benefits. In accordance with local laws, workers
should be compensated for any overtime hours. Deductions from wages should not be used as a
disciplinary measure. Workers should not be required to pay any fees to secure employment.
Workers should not be discriminated against based on race, color, age, gender, sexual orientation,
ethnicity, disability, religion, political affiliation, union membership, national origin, or marital
status in hiring and employment practices. Workweeks should not exceed the maximum set by
local law. Except in emergency or unusual situations, a workweek should be restricted to 60 hours,
including overtime, and workers should be allowed at least one day off per seven-day week. Under
no circumstances may workweeks exceed the maximum permitted under applicable laws and
regulations. Suppliers must offer vacation time, leave periods, and holidays consistent with
applicable laws and regulations. CSR advisor can provide unbiased and relevant views in case if
any issue arises. Also, to conduct various awareness programs about being socially conscious and
what are the social causes plaguing the country and how companies are dealing with them through
CSR.

RECOMMENDATIONS
What The University Should Do
Periodical medical examination in order to protect the health of the workers. A health camp every
3 months should be conducted by the university as these workers may not follow up with the tests
done once so a routine check-up is important. Workshops to make them aware of minimum wage
laws, government schemes, basic allowance etc. Since they are not aware of the government
schemes and laws, it becomes the responsibility of the university to make them aware of such
laws so that they can take advantage of that. Training for the working community in the canteen

to educate them on the proper practices regarding importance of hygiene and cleanliness. They
are preparing food for us it is imperative for them to know the importance of hygiene and
cleanliness because unhygienic food and working conditions affects us all. Organise activities
which makes them feel more inclusive and involve them in festival celebrations. They play an
important role in our lives as they prepare food for us. So it is our duty to make them feel
important and valued by including them in our celebrations and activities.
Student behavior
Be courteous and avoid losing temper.
Putting our used plates in the bin.
Avoid taking the plates outside the canteen.
Maintain proper queues.

CONCLUSION

Going by the name of the canteen, one would expect that the canteen would have
been run by women, or atleast would be working for the empowerment of women.
They should not be made to subsist on wages less than half of the mandated
minimum wage.
University have a duty towards them in keeping their interest and giving something
in return for their effort. All staff should be fully supported in their work, with a
decent working environment, and should be rewarded fairly, and maintain a good
work-life balance.
Principles of Corporate Social Responsibility has to be embedded in the University
strategy and are taken into account in key decisions.
Universities should endeavour to be social responsible, if they want to win the
goodwill of their stakeholders and should endeavour to communicate their
corporate social responsibility programmes to the stakeholders so that the
stakeholders will understand them.

REFERENCES

Vijaykumar, R. (2009). Reinstating the Self Help Group: Perspective in micro finance.
Economic and Political Weekly, XLIV (15), 68-69.
Puhazhendi, V., & Satyasai, K. J. S. (2001). Economic and social empowerment of
rural poor through self-help groups

http://strishakti.in/main.html
http://www.delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/doit_labour/Labour/Home/Minimum+Wages/
http://www.delhi.gov.in/wps/wcm/connect/DoIT/delhi+govt/delhi+home

Table Of Contents
S. No.

Topic

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

OBJECTIVE

INTRODUCTION

LITERATURE REVIEW

METHODOLOGY

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

FINDINGS

CURRENT ISSUES

BENEFITS PROVIDED

10

PROPOSAL

11

RECOMMENDATOINS

12

CONCLUSION

Page No.

13

REFERENCES