This is an oral history interview with Avtar Singh Jouhl, recorded between October 1991 - February 1992, as part of the Birmingham Black Oral History Project (BBOHP), discussing his life in India and the UK.
Avtar lived in Punjab, India until 1958 when he left college and travelled to England hoping to continue his studies. He worked in foundries in Birmingham and joined the Indian Workers Association after experiencing inequalities in the workplace. He talks about his upbringing in rural Punjab, India, his involvement with Trade Unions and politics and his work and family life in Birmingham.
These recordings include racially explicit content, including discussions of racism, prejudice and violence; and language and phrasing that we would not use today. Some of this content might be unsuitable for younger listeners or triggering for People of Colour.
We recommend reading the description for each track before choosing to listen.

R1187
 
Track 01 Correction / Indian Workers Association
Avtar makes a correction about his daughter’s business mentioned in R1186 and talks about the history of the Indian Workers Association
 
Track 02 Indian Workers Association (continued)
Avtar talks about where the Indian Workers Association is based in Birmingham and its members
 
Track 03 Indian Workers Association (continued)
Avtar talks about encouraging women workers to join and the history of the IWA
 
Track 04 Indian Workers Association (continued)
Avtar talks about IWA links with the Trade Union Movement and the Labour Party organisation
 
Track 05 India’s Independence
Avtar talks about India’s independence from British rule in 1947 and what happened after that
 
Track 06 Indian Workers Association Political Links
Avtar talks about how the IWA was supported but not funded by the Communist Parties of India and Great Britain
 
Track 07 Setting up the Birmingham Branch of the Indian Workers Association
Avtar talks about how the IWA helped immigrants with welfare and passport problems
 
Track 08 Indian Workers Association, Passport Changes and Bribery
Avtar talks about how the IWA influence changes in how passports were issued and exposed the culture of bribery in factories for overtime and promotion
 
Track 09 Colour Bar in in Public Houses and at Work
Avtar talks about how the IWA highlighted and lobbied against the segregation of amenities in factories
 
Track 10 The IWA Lobby for Non-Discrimination at Work
Avtar talks about how the IWA protested against segregated toilets at the European Congress
Sorted!
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