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.

R1190
Track 01 Learning the Rules of the Trade Union Movement
Avtar talks about the importance of learning the Trade Union Rules in order to gain recognition for black workers
 
Track 02 Indian Workers Association Support For All Workers
Avtar gives example of how the IWA supported all workers in dispute
 
Track 03 Positive Action for Black Trade Union Members
Avtar talks about positive action to encourage more black member on Union Executive Committees
 
Track 04 Fair Representation at All Levels
Avtar talks about the fair representation at all levels in the trade union movement
 
Track 05 1991 A Difficult Year, But Hopes For The Future
Avtar talks about the difficulties faced in 1991, but he has hopes for new year
 
Track 06 Split in The Indian Workers Association
Avtar explains why the IWA split into two factions in 1967 and how the rift was resolved and reunited in 1990
 
Track 07 Offer to Sit on The National Commonwealth Committee for Immigrants Declined
Avtar explains why he declined to sit on the National Commonwealth Committee for Immigrants
 
Track 08 Division in The Indian Workers Association in 1967
Avtar explains why the IWA divided in 1967
 
Track 09 Meetings to reunite The Indian Workers Association
Avtar explains how the IWA held a conference to reunite and how he became leader of the merged IWA during the transition
 
Track 10 Studies of the Indian Workers Association
Avtar talks of his ambition to collate the history of the IWA in a book, written in Punjabi
Sorted!
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R1190 A Singh Jouhl_Transcript_with timings
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