After August unrest, Surat textile units brace for fresh wave of stir

Embroidery workers in Surat's textile units are threatening a protest march on November 1 unless their long-standing demands for working hours, overtime wages, and weekly offs are met. Demonstrations began on August 16 in the Amroli area, escalating to other units and workers across Surat, the synthetic textiles industry hub. Police investigations revealed discontent on WhatsApp groups and social media, leading to three FIRs and 26 arrests on rioting charges.

Workers demand provisions from a law passed in Gujarat last year, including eight-hour work shifts, 48-hour weekly work caps, raised overtime hours, and double wages for overtime. Unit owners have been reluctant to implement these provisions, threatening sales during Diwali. Despite meetings with authorities, a resolution hasn't been found.

The Congress's INTUC, Majoor Mahajan Sangh, and Surat Textile Market Labour Union support the workers for the November strike. A deputy labor commissioner issued a circular to follow wage and safety codes. Unit owners cite difficulty in adhering to the law, citing machinery costs and losses from shut production. However, embroidery unit owners acknowledge past failures to address workers' demands, citing assurances without action.

Six people were arrested for alleged intimidating unit owners, including an embroidery unit owner who accused a vlogger of threatening to post videos of his factory.