The South Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana have catapulted themselves into major textile and apparel (T&A) manufacturing hubs catering to a slew of international brands, contributing substantially to country’s exports earnings.
Significantly, Tamil Nadu alone represents roughly 45 per cent of India’s entire spinning capability, 22 per cent of weaving and 70 per cent of the knitted apparel production capability.
However, in wake of a rapid increase in the manufacturing units, the industry has been struggling with labour shortage for last many years; but, the situation seems to have turned into a crisis of late.
The state’s T&A industry, markedly, provides a direct employment to almost six million people, including migrant workers from other states. Particularly the mills in key clusters of Coimbatore, Tirupur and Dindigul depend heavily on the migrant labour force.
According to Southern India Mills Association (SIMA) Chairman P Nataraj, the demand for migrant labourers has risen nationwide, resulting in high attrition in local factories. Consequently, the mills are finding it hard to source, mobilize, recruit and retain the migrant workforce.
To address the labour-shortage problem, Nataraj reportedly said, SIMA has initiated direct recruitment on its official placement cell for the members. Moreover, the Association had also contacted the Labour and Employment Departments of several other states to source human resources from there.
The Government of Tripura promptly replied to the proposal and had even put up an exclusive Job Fair in association with SIMA. The event garnered participation from nearly 4,000 unemployed youngsters from across the state.
The direct recruitment drive will enable the mills to select right candidates; the SIMA Chief was quoted as saying. Furthermore, he, as well told, that SIMA is also planning to release a code of conduct for the employment of migrant labourers as a proactive step to comply with the legal and social necessities arising thereof.
