The Hindu Business Line : Scheme for women in textiles fares well: SIMA

Coimbatore, Oct. 1 The employment scheme for women being followed by most textile units in Tamil Nadu has withstood the test of time and is functioning smoothly, say The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) office-bearers.

The contract employment system being adopted in the textile units in many cases have proved mutually beneficial to both the management and women workers. While it has helped create employment opportunities for rural women, it has also enabled textile units bridge the shortfall in labour availability, according to Dr K.V. Srinivasan, Chairman, SIMA.

There may be one or two stray cases of system abuse that have generated negative publicity. But the criticism may also be for some ‘wrong’ reasons’, Dr Srinivsan said, referring to recent media reports on the refusal of payment of contracted wages to women workers in the State’s textile industry.

Most mills adhered to the well laid-out guidelines on engaging women in night shifts as given in a High Court direction. Mills themselves have internal auditing of the system. Officials from the Inspectorate of Factories, the statutory authorities from the State Government, also make periodic visits to the mills to verify the safety standards available for workmen.

The success of the scheme employing women in the textile industry is due to the fact that it paves the way for their long-term career growth. Apart from providing employment, the mill management facilitate training in a trade of their choice outside regular working hours, said Dr Srinivasan.

Speaking of the acute labour shortage in the industry, Mr J. Thulasidharan, Deputy Chairman, SIMA, said that unless individual managements come forward to provide the right atmosphere for employment, retention of workers would be too difficult as competitor-mills would always be ready to entice them with better working conditions.

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