Tiruppur's labour woes deepen as UP attracts textile workers

The Uttar Pradesh government is making significant efforts to attract investors from other parts of the country and from abroad to develop its modern textile industry. The state has a rich tradition of textile centres and is working to establish not only textile clusters but also a PM MITRA park as soon as possible. Historically, these workers migrated to Tiruppur due to limited opportunities in their home state.

According to industry sources, workers went to their native places in April and May for seasonal agricultural work and to vote in the recently concluded general elections. They were expected to return to Tiruppur and other clusters in Tamil Nadu. However, only about 50 per cent of the workers have returned to their factories. Employers are trying to entice them back by offering higher wages.

K M Subramanian, president of the Tiruppur Exports Association (TEA), told Fibre2Fashion, “The exporters are offering better wages and other facilities to their workers on their return. But garment units are still facing a shortage of workers as many have not yet returned. These units are heavily dependent on workers from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, and West Bengal.”

According to estimates, around 150,000-200,000 workers are employed in the textile cluster. Very few workers from Tamil Nadu are engaged in the industry. It is believed that the state government’s welfare schemes are more attractive than the jobs offered in textile units.

TEA is witnessing a surge in inquiries from garment importers in the United States and Europe, a notable rebound after years of weak demand. However, there are growing concerns that the ongoing worker shortage could impede their ability to fulfil these export orders. Typically, importers place their orders between May and July in preparation for the upcoming winter season, particularly targeting the Christmas market in the US, Canada, Europe, and other Western countries.

According to industry sources, lower wages are also unattractive for these workers. They have to work 12-hour shifts to increase their monthly take-home pay as the wages for an 8-hour shift are insufficient to provide a decent income. A trade source from Tiruppur said that factory owners will have to offer better wages than what the workers are getting in their native state. Additionally, workers are more inclined to work in their own state rather than in Tamil Nadu.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL)