Responding to the news published earlier, as given below, Premier Knits Apparel Co, Tirupur clarified that few of the workers want to go home, but due to COVID-19 lockdown, they have been advised to stay back as there was no transportation available. As for work being done in the factory, it was under strict safety conditions and for face masks which are in urgent requirement.
According to the company “This is the fact and the situation was wrongly presented by the workers in frustration, which was proved from their own statement during the enquiry. (read detailed comment from the company in the comment box below). Raja Shanmugam, President, Tirupur Exporters Association also confirmed to Apparel Resources that local authorities have already inspected the factory and certified that they are following all rules, as per set out norms.
The earlier news read as below…
Tirupur factory forces migratory women workers to work during lockdown!
Issues pertaining to migrant workers have always been a burning issue for the Indian apparel industry. The sad part is that even amidst the menacing spread of COVID-19 pandemic, few of the migrant workers are still facing a challenge.
As per the media reports, Premier Knits Apparel Co, Tirupur is forcing around 200 women workers to work during this lockdown period. All these women are from Jharkhand, and mostly belong to Chaibasa town of the state.
Hemant Soren, Chief Minister of Jharkhand has requested his Tamil Nadu counterpart to look into the matter and support the women of Jharkhand. “Please immediately help these 200 sisters of mine. They are facing inhuman behaviour,” an official release of Jharkhand state government said quoting Hemant Soren.
The Tamil Nadu Government has assured to investigate into the matter and said the workers are safe.
.@EPSTamilNadu‘ji – An earnest request to you to make necessary interventions to ensure that these 200 sisters of mine from Jharkhand are provided immediate support & assistance. They are being subjugated to inhumane treatment by employers- Premier Knits Apparel Co Ltd, Tirupur. https://t.co/l5qId3lCPV
— Hemant Soren (घर में रहें – सुरक्षित रहें) (@HemantSorenJMM) April 7, 2020
Talking to a leading newspaper of the state, these women workers added that they are being provided with food by the company.
Singhbhum MP of the Congress Geeta Koda and health minister of the state Banna Gupta also came forward on this issue. DGP, Jharkhand MV Rao has word with his counterpart of Tamil Nadu and assured to bring back these women workers at Jharkhand.
It is also pertinent to mention here that just a few days back he also said that lakhs of natives of the Jharkhand state will come back to their homes, once lockdown over so conditions in the state will be worst as far as job and livelihood of these workers are concerned.
Reg. this as per our Cheif minister & district collector instruction, all the relevant departments directly visited the factory & thoroughly inspected, checked with all labours & concluded that it is false news.
Few of them want to go home and due to COVID 19 issue, they have been advised about the lockdown and no transportation available. This is the fact & this was wrongly presented by them in frustration which was from their own statement during the enquiry.
Thanks & Regards
For Premier Knit Apparels
Anand