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It takes about an hour’s train ride to reach Tirupur from Coimbatore. The mad rush at every station en-route is perhaps an indication that the textile hub is getting back on its feet after the impact of demonetisation.
Signs of labour shortage are visible at Tirupur. Be it notices on vans that transport women employees from in and around the town, to the unit or bill boards at the gate of many an undertaking, the employment offer ( Velaikku aatkal thevai ) is open and loud.
But talk to a few employers and one realises that while there is demand for labour, it is mainly for skilled jobs including tailoring. That is why the Tirupur Exporters' Association (TEA) has tied up with government’s skill development agencies to train workers. Recently, the TEA joined hands with the Odisha Skill Development Authority to train workers from the state for specific skills required in Tirupur. Little wonder that landing a job is challenging. “The head hunters do a lot of check and counter-check before placing, but many of us do not have an offer letter or employment certificate. The employer probably maintains a file for record purpose,” said a youngster, preferring anonymity. At the same time, attrition remains high at 15-17 per cent as women, who make up for much of the workforce, take a maternity break. In recent years, the sector has been managing with migrant workforce.
The textile industry, the second largest employment generating sector, at present employs 80 million people in the country. Industry leaders say thatfor every additional export of $1 billion, the sector would be able to add four lakh jobs. Companies are hoping that after the Free Trade Agreement, which is in the works, with the EU, Australia and Canada,exports would almost double in three years, from $17 billion in 2015-16, generating lakhs of jobs.
This is music to the ears of those in Tirupur. The country’s largest textile exporting hub employs six lakh people, and will look to add more. Its export turnover is expected to rise from ₹23,000 crore in 2015 to ₹25,000 crore in 2016. The knitwear hub is targeting a turnover of ₹1 lakh crore by 2020.
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