3.30pm, July 27, 2003. Strong winds and a thunderstorm hit Ladang Braemer in Kajang, Selangor, flooding several parts of the estate.

On a stage in the middle of a field, estate workers' committee chairperson D Ganesan slept peacefully. Just 30 minutes earlier, he had brought to conclusion a momentous celebration to end a 10-year-old historic struggle for justice.

Close to 1,0000 people came to the estate that day. Among them were Kajang state assembly person Dr Shafie Abu Bakar, political leaders and NGO activists.

Well-wishers, friends and relatives turned up by the busloads from Klang, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Kedah and Johor. But the day belonged to the 14 grey-haired women and the youths of the estate. It was their day to celebrate a hard-earned victory.

For, on July 2, an agreement had finally been signed to provide alternative housing for these former estate workers.

Harrison (M) Plantation Bhd - which later became Golden Hope Plantations Bhd - sold Ladang Braemar in 1984 to HMPB Maluri. The new owner offered contract work, which 17 workers accepted together with the assurance that they would be given housing if the land was sold.

In 1993, the workers received notice of eviction as the estate was being sold tob e converted into a golf course. When no free housing was forthcoming, the workers organised as a collective and went to court on two occasions to claim that promise, all the while refusing to vacate their houses.

Eventually, another company, Gading Baru, bought over site and entered into negotiations with the workers. In 2001, it made an offer of free housing, following which the workers' committee began discussing specifications and other details.

Under the terms of the agreement, they (or their next-of-kin) will receive a low-cost terrace house worth RM42,000, in addition to compensation of RM22,000 and outstanding retrenchment and termination benefits.

Until the houses are ready, they will also receive rental payment of RM120 a month for 18 months. In return, the workers have agreed to withdraw their court cases.

Hard times remembered

The workers' victory celebration started with a march of about half a kilometre, led by the Braemar heroes carrying a red banner which read, Kemenangan perjuangan Ladang Bramer 1993-2003 - berani berjuang, berani menang (Victory in Ladang Braemar 1993-2003 - courage to struggle, courage to win).

Singing songs of triumph and accompanied by the rhythm of traditional hand drums, they walked with clenched fists held high. Several people carried banners and red flags. It was their last parade along this stretch of the estate road.

The group stopped in front of a signboard erected several years ago as a reminder of those demands. An ex-worker cut a ribbon and the crowd was led to four houses in which an exhibition had been mounted, detailing the history of the struggle.

Each building was decorated with wall paintings and held collections of documents, news clippings and photographs. One wall was dedicated to four people who had died during the protracted negotiation process, among them a six-year-old and the fondly-remembered Abang Misai .

The collection documented the confrontations, hard times, court cases, demonstrations , negotiations and the signing of the agreement.

Moving to the estate field, the crowd heard speeches from representatives from several states, as well as pioneer supporters Dr Nasir Hashim and V. Selvam.

They had come to the aid of the workers when the government, ruling coalition and the workers' union had abandoned them.

A musical drama presented by the CDC-JKMI team combined song and action to relate the struggle, exposing those who had betrayed the workers. Other performers and supporters delivered songs, messages of solidarity and souvenirs.

The estate field holds its own place in the history of the struggle, being at the centre of several sorties between the workers and the developer, who had planted turf for the golf course at the site.

However, the workers retaliated by erecting two football goal-posts there and periodically cutting the fences built, until they regained control of the field. Their new houses will be built there.

Claim disproved

During the event, an ex-worker launched a book on the history of the struggle, compiled by the Kajang-based Community Development Centre.

Then, one by one, the 14 elderly women workers walked up on stage to relate their difficulties over the years and how they had found success. They spoke with passion and authority, moving some in the crowd to tears. Their children presented each a photograph of them together.

Ganesan had his moment of glory, in appreciation of his commendable leadership in handling the issues. He led the entire team of ex-workers and youths on stage in a song.

In a few days' time, the houses of the ex-workers will be demolished. But the achievement has brought new hope to former estate workers in Selangor and other parts of the country.

The message is an old one - that victory awaits those who fight for their rights. There is no victory without a struggle and no struggle ever comes easy. The future is out there for those who desire to bring about change.

By their determination, the Braemar workers have disproved the claim that terrace houses are no longer being built in Selangor, as those displaced for any reason are now being relocated to low-cost flats.

They have pledged to help others. Workers from some 12 other estates in Negri Sembilan, Selangor, Perak and Kedah have been supporting them in numbers, also complaining of forced evictions and stalled negotiations that have left them homeless for over a decade.

S ARUTCHELVAN is a social activist who enjoys tough battles with the establishment to improve living conditions for workers, including those of Braemar. He is also the pro tem secretary-general of Parti Sosialis Malaysia.