Surat: Textile Labour Unrest

Unfortunately the economic capital of Gujarat is under the pressure from the labourers who have been on strike since last four days and textile industries suffering serious loss of business and production. The textile labourers have been under constant work pressure of over 12 hours a day and in shifts living under the unhygienic conditions have helped industry to grow. Over the years the cost of living in the cities like Surat has increased and thus the demand for the just pay rise is justified. The raw material crisis in synthetic textile sector due to monopolistic supply chain as well as rise in crude oil is affecting the industry who have already put down the production due to high cost. The present labourer crises in much claimed labour friendly state presents a unlined situation affecting the lives and work relationships of massive industrial workforce. The industries and city administration has never acted seriously to make the life of these migrants easy, instead they have be made to work hard with less pay comparison to other sector workers.

Organised loom segments are let off by the state industrial labour officers in oversighting the difficulties faced by them in the city. Thus with poor work condition and subsistence pay the migrants would move away given better opportunities in their home state. The industrial labour crises is going to be at large more serious in the state given the massive investment in various sector. The labour shortage in the manufacturing sector and subsequent high cost of labour would also affect the growth prospects. Unless this important factor of production is taken care by introducing better socio-economic package by the collective efforts by the governments and industry association such friction would increase.

The issue of insurance, housing and health has never been tackled fully by the cities concerned for the textile workers and subsequent impact on the city economy is evident. Over million workers in the textile sector in Surat does require attention of the state and central government to ensure long term industrial health. Gujarat can not afford to have collapse of industries in Surat given poor revival of industries in Ahmadabad and Vadodara the next metropolitan city. The urban reform should also look into the economic characteristics and channelise the investment and action is winning the hearts of industrial labourers. The industrial investment would remain volatile or uncertain given the frequent labour unrest starting from Diamond to textile sector and their ancillaries.