Leading apparel brands and international trade associations have come forward to support the textile workers of Tamil Nadu.

They have urged the Tamil Nadu Minimum Wages Committee to establish a meaningful minimum wage for textile workers, which aligns with International Labor Organization (ILO) standards.

These brands and retailers like Gap Inc., Hugo Boss, Levi Strauss & Co., PVH, Ralph Lauren, Stitch Fix, VF Corporation and organisations like American Apparel & Footwear Association represent a significant percentage of buyers of textiles and garments from Tamil Nadu.

The brands have applauded the Tamil Nadu Government for building a successful textile and garment industry in Tamil Nadu.

As a part of these efforts, they have welcomed the establishment of a Minimum Wages Committee for the Textile Industry by the Government of Tamil Nadu.

“As global fashion brands and retailers, we believe the establishment of a minimum wage that meets international standards and guidance established by the ILO on wage setting will help to position Tamil Nadu as a responsible sourcing destination. We urge the Committee to base the minimum wage on ILO C131 (Minimum Wage Fixing Convention) and its accompanying recommendation R135 (Minimum Wage Fixing Recommendation),” a statement released by these brands and association says.

It further urges the committee to consider other key factors in determining a minimum wage, including the needs of workers and their families; the general level of wages in India; the cost of living and inflation; social security benefits and the relative living standards of other social groups and economic factors, including the requirements of economic development, levels of productivity and the desirability of attaining and maintaining a high level of employment.