Surat: Long queues and crowded platforms at railway stations have become a familiar sight in Surat as thousands of textile workers begin leaving the city ahead of Diwali, signalling an early and possibly larger-than-usual festive-season exodus from the city’s embroidery and weaving hubs.Worker leaders attribute the departures to growing concerns over workplace issues and a desire to avoid potential disputes with employers while returning home to celebrate Diwali with their families. While migrant workers traditionally begin leaving Surat about a week before Diwali, observers say the exodus appears to have started earlier and is larger than usual this year.“I am told by workers that embroidery unit owners are not ensuring implementation of the labour codes. In such a scenario, workers are choosing to go home instead of entering into conflict with employers,” said Ajay Dubey, a worker leader.Embroidery unit owners, however, say they are prepared to comply with the labour codes but maintain that they cannot continue providing additional benefits offered earlier if compliance results in higher operating costs.To arrive at a common position, unit owners have called a large meeting on Saturday, with organisers expecting more than 25,000 owners to participate. Preparations for the meeting are underway through area-wise gatherings across the city.“We are ready to implement some labour codes, but in that case we will not give other benefits to workers that we used to give earlier. We will follow the codes as per workers’ demands,” said Hitesh Bhikadiya, president of the Textile Embroidery Jobwork Association of Surat (Tejas).The weaving sector is also witnessing worker departures, with local leaders attributing the trend to unsettled sentiments and economic pressures. Weaving unit owners are considering shutting their units for two days a week in response to high yarn prices. Worker representatives fear such a move could reduce earnings and encourage more workers to return home. A section of weaving units is also considering a 15-day vacation.The Federation of Gujarat Weavers Welfare Association has advised its members to avoid confrontation and seek amicable solutions. “Normally, workers leave before Diwali and it is a yearly trend. This year, the number may be slightly higher due to the current sentiments in embroidery, but overall textile manufacturing is functioning routinely,” said federation president Ashok Jirawala.Meanwhile, textile workers’ leaders met Surat police commissioner Wabag Jamir and officials of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI) on Thursday, seeking intervention to prevent Tejas from holding a mega meeting opposing full implementation of the labour codes.
