Textile workers across Surat are demanding for surge in wages. The protest has resulted in non-working of numerous weaving units and around 4,000 powerloom facilities in Jolva, Amroli and Bamroli. Production at the weaving units in the city that produces around 3 crore metres of grey fabric per day has been drastically affected, as per the leading daily.
Devesh Patel, President of Ved Road-Katargam Weavers Association averred, “We have conveyed to the officials of Labour Department to visit the industrial areas in the city and take stock of the situation, adding, “We are ready to open our units, but the workers are adamant on wage hike. On the other hand, we are not getting any security for our units.”
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Reports suggest that more than 8,000 weaving units have closed down in Ved Road, Katargam, Dabholi, Jolva, Bamroli and Amroli industrial areas. The textile workers are demanding for an increase of about 10-15 per cent in wages. Standing against the thought, Ashok Jirawala, President, Federation of Gujarat Weavers Association (FOGWA) mentioned, “The textile workers and pirn winders are paid as per the labour laws. At most of the industrial areas, the workers are getting good wages. The weaving sector is passing from tough phase due to weak demand in the last eight months. Hence, the demand for wage hike by the workers can’t be considered.”
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It has been three days since the protest triggered off, and if continues, it will affect the textile trade in the city more drastically.
