Apparel Online Bangladesh Magazine August Issue 2018 | Page 35

BEYOND BD

Is Medha Patkar behind‘ turbulence ' at India ' s most sustainable garment export house?

It seems that NGOs have become a major sore-point for Indian apparel exporters. The latest incident involves Indore-based apparel export house Pratibha Syntex, which is attracting flak from Medha Patkar, the Indian social activist, as claimed by nearby villagers and sources working at the export house.
The company manufactures garments for some of the most respected brands and buyers across the globe. As per reports, due to continuous instigations from the people like Medha Patkar, Pratibha has decided to close down their units which were not operational due to the unrest. So far, for the long-term resolution of this problem Pratibha has terminated services of 76 notorious associates and offered all other workers to work in the third unit. Sources informed Apparel Online that workers were being misguided by the NGO to intentionally go slow in production from 1st June, and many of them even went on strike from
15th June. They were provoked to ask for hike in salary. However, after an emergency meeting between workers’ union, villagers, and company’ s management, nearly 5,000 workers have shown willingness to work with the company. The villagers, who are offering various services like running their shops for the factory workers etc., are also facing loss due to suspension of operations. Now, as local villagers have come forward to support the company, the organization is taking fresh initiatives for confidence building.
“ We are giving school fees for worker’ s children which will not be charged from their salary. Because of our proactive approach, many workers are now ready to work in the third unit,” informed Mukesh Vyas, Corporate HR-Head of the company.
The company reported to have been striving for development of associates. Recently the management had come up with a scholarship schemes for meritorious children of employees.
This year Pratibha management provided scholarship to 44 children of the employees, who appeared in class X, XII and college.“ My daughter Seema Soni secured 90 per cent marks in her XII class. It was very proud moment for me when my daughter received scholarship from our Chairman, said a stitcher Mamta Soni working at the shopfloor.
Work-life balance is being given utmost importance in this industry, said Mukesh Vyas, adding that a number of sports events are being organised every year. In the month of January, every year, a signature event called‘ Pratibha Premier League’ is being organised.
To develop intellectual capital spiritually and emotionally, session by ace speakers are organised in campus. Besides, health sessions are organised every month in the campus to ensure well-being of the employees.“ Recently, we had celebrated Annual Day in memory of Chogmal Ji Chaudhary, wherein a celebrated anchor and singer enthralled employees in his endearing style”, he added.
Owing to its people-friendly policies, Pratibha has been feted twice by Federation of Madhya Pradesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry with Maximum Employment Provider Award & Recruiter of the Year Award.

China eyeing‘ Made in Turkey ' textile products

China has lately shown keen interest in‘ Made in Turkey’ textile products as a result of which, it has become an important market for Turkish bathrobe and towel exporters. Exporters from Denizli, in south-western part of Turkey, have also found a new liking for other markets like that of China. Despite majorly exporting to US and Europe, Denizli’ s total textile exports to China touched US $ 11.73 million in 2017, which is twice the number reached in 2016.
It is worth noting that Denizli accounts for nearly US $ 1.5 billion out of Turkey’ s annual exports of home textiles, which is US $ 3.5 billion. The exporters have initiated a campaign by the name‘ Turkish Towels’, thereby becoming the premier statefunded branding programme worldwide. The bathrobes as well as towels are sold in China as luxury items.
Hüseyin Memişoğlu, Chairman, Denizli Exporters’ Association, averred that they will be participating in the Canton Import- Export Fair in order to promote Turkish products in China. 20 firms in Denizli are expected to participate in the event and display their products.
He further added that it is a perception in China that rich people purchase European goods and since Turkey is a European nation, there is every possibility that Turkish products will do well in China.
www. apparelresources. com | August 2018 | Apparel Online Bangladesh 35