On International Workers ’ Day or Labour Day ( 1st May ), some developments and celebrations were noticed in the garment industry . Many export houses across India had declared holiday for its workers as well as for its middle- and seniorlevel professionals , while many others continued their work as usual . Few factories in Noida asked workers to work on this day , but after workers ’ protest they made it ‘ optional working ’ and declared it as a ‘ paid working day ’. |
Celebrating the day , some of the factories organized small events for their workers , motivating them through various activities . Creatnet Services , a Noida-based buying house , to show appreciation to its sampling and production teams , organized a trip for its bead workers , tailors and embroiderers along with their families to enjoy the day-off at the Sunder Nursery Gardens in Delhi .
In Madurai , Justice Shivaraj V Patil Foundation and Textile
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Workers Union , Madurai launched awareness campaign on securing living wages and decent working conditions for female garment workers in Tamil Nadu . Addressing the launch programme , P Muthuraja . General Secretary , Madurai District Textile Workers Federation said that many spinning mills and garment factories make the workers toil for more than 14 hours , defeating the cause . They work for longer periods for lesser wages . |
Fair Wear Foundation ( FWF ), releasing its report , ‘ Breaking the Silence : The FWF Violence and Harassment Prevention Programme ’, said that violence and harassment in the world of work is a widespread issue in the garment industry , especially against women . Recognising the importance of tackling this issue at the factory level , they launched the programme to address and prevent violence and harassment in the world of work . |
Gujarat is now upping its ante in apparel manufacturing also . The State Government , too , is doing its bit to help drive the transformation of the state into a garment hub . Stepping up its support to the apparel sector , the Gujarat Government has decided to construct industrial sheds for the apparel industry at 12 locations across the state . “ The sheds will be open for micro , small , medium and even large enterprises ,” said D Thara , |
Vice Chairman and Managing Director of Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation ( GIDC ).
Most of the demands ( for sheds ), according to Thara , are from places like Ankleshwar , Surat , Bhavnagar , Bardoli and Kathwada , while other locations where the apparel sector might grow , include Vapi , Naroda , Hansalpur and Surendranagar . Markedly , the envisaged sheds will be multi-storey buildings built on plug-and-use model . And
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the units will only have to install their machinery and equipment to commence operations right away . Of late , the Gujarat Government – in collaboration with Garment Manufacturers Association of India ( GMAI ) – had invited ‘ Expression of Interest ’ ( EOI ) from industry players , interested to set up apparel manufacturing base in the state .
The initiative elicited response from not only the locals but
As per the GIDC Chief , the Government had so far sought only EOIs ; however , going forward , real applications will be invited now .
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also the people from other states . The Government , on this basis , estimated that around 6.5 million sq . feet of space is required to develop the apparel sector . As per the GIDC Chief , the Government had so far sought only EOIs ; however , going forward , real applications will be invited now . “ This will provide an idea of genuine space requirement . Once this is done , the actual allotment will start ,” he was quoted as saying .
Notably , the Gujarat Government has further enhanced its focus on apparel manufacturing industry . Being labour-intensive , the sector has massive potential for employment growth , particularly in smaller cities and towns and even rural areas . Significantly , the sector also provides ample employment opportunities for women – in fact , it is skewed in favour of women workforce . The apparel sector requires relatively lower start-up capital , and therefore , presents one potential opportunity for women entrepreneurs also .
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