Surat Textile Workers Forced to Lift Excessive Weights!

Surat : In Surat, the hub of India’s burgeoning textile industry, there is a concerning and mostly overlooked issue. Textile workers are frequently asked to transport parcel loads weighing up to 120 kilos, which is nearly double the legally authorized maximum of 65 kg. This widespread violation highlights the difficult working conditions that these workers confront, but it also raises serious issues about the industry’s labor rights and safety laws.

Surat is the largest man-made fabric (MMF) textile market in the country, with an annual turnover of more than Rs 50,000 crore. Ring Road, Sahara Darwaja, and Saroli are textile market regions with around 75,000 textile shops. About 1 lakh textile laborers are engaged in the markets, where they work on a parcel basis. Textile labourers are paid between Rs 70 and Rs 80 for lifting parcel loads. 

However, since last year, labor organizations in the textile markets have been urging that textile workers not be issued parcel loads weighing more than 65 kilograms for their safety. The majority of textile shop owners force workers to lift parcel loads weighing 100 to 120 kilograms, which is inhumane and violates the Labour Act and the Factories Act. 

The Surat District Textile Marketing Transport Labor Union claimed that on January 18, 2023, a combined meeting of the union and the Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association (FOSTTA) was conducted, and it was unanimously determined to set a maximum parcel weight limit of 65 kilograms.However, the prescribed weight limit is now not being respected, and traders are distributing big packs weighing 100 to 120 kg to workers, which is inhumane.

According to Shan Khan, a spokesperson for the workers’ union, Section 34 of the Factories Act states that no worker shall be compelled to lift heavy loads that would be detrimental to his health. According to the International Model Labor Standards and the Human Rights Act, lifting more beyond 50 kg is considered unsuitable for an able-bodied adult. So it is critical for all components of the textile market to rigorously adhere to and carry out weight determination. Consequently, FOSTA and the Transport Association should take necessary action in this regard.

Workers union president Umashankar Mishra and general secretary Devprakash Pandey have stated that if the issue is not handled in the coming days, the union will be obligated to go on strike and file legal action against traders and transporters who force workers to lift excessive weights.