In India, six labour unions at major state-owned ports have threatened to go on an indefinite strike starting on 17th December, according to local news reports.
According to local news outlets, if India’s Government does not amend the country’s current salary structure and establish a productivity-linked award system by 15th December, a strike will take place.
In a different report, the Major Port Workers Federation’s National Coordination Committee criticised the Indian Port Association’s (IPA) lackadaisical approach to enforcing a wage settlement between major port authorities and recognised federations of port and dock workers.
On 23rd November, the National Coordination Committee of the Port and Dock Workers met in Goa and resolved to go on strike.
On 5th December, port workers are anticipated to demonstrate at major ports and stage a large-scale gathering in front of the administration offices of their individual major ports, calling for the implementation of settlements. On 10th December, the port pensioners who would also profit from the pay deal are anticipated to demonstrate in front of all significant port offices.
India is becoming a major player in the garment industry, so port interruptions might affect the entire fashion supply chain, according to Dr. Sheng Lu, a professor of apparel and textile studies at the University of Delaware.
US-bound garment shipments increased in August, according to data from the US International Trade Administration’s Office of Textiles and Apparel (OTEXA), and it was thought to be a safe alternative for sourcing during the recent political unrest in Bangladesh, its neighbour.
India has the benefit of being able to supply about 90 per cent of the textile raw materials required for its garment manufacture locally, according to research conducted by the US International Trade Commission (USITC). This could drastically lower overall production costs and the supply chain concerns that many other nations that supply clothing face. India has a great chance to take the lead in the global alternative fibre market, according to global non-profit Canopy.
