Surat is witnessing an early Diwali departure of thousands of textile workers, with crowded railway stations and long queues reported across the city as concerns over labour-code implementation, earnings and workplace disputes intensify in its embroidery and weaving hubs.
Workers traditionally begin leaving Surat about a week before Diwali, but worker leaders and industry representatives said the exodus appears to have started earlier and could be larger than usual this year. The departures are affecting migrant workers employed across the city’s textile manufacturing network, one of Surat’s key urban livelihood systems.
Worker leader Ajay Dubey attributed the movement to concerns that embroidery unit owners were not ensuring implementation of the labour codes. “In such a scenario, workers are choosing to go home instead of entering into conflict with employers,” he said.
Embroidery unit owners said they were prepared to comply with the labour codes but warned that higher compliance costs could affect benefits previously offered to workers. Hitesh Bhikadiya, president of the Textile Embroidery Jobwork Association of Surat, said owners were ready to implement some of the codes but would not be able to continue providing other benefits if operating costs rose.
To develop a common position, embroidery unit owners have called a large meeting on Saturday. Organisers expect more than 25,000 owners to participate, with area-wise gatherings already being held across Surat to prepare for the meeting. The meeting has become a point of concern for worker representatives, who have sought intervention to prevent what they described as opposition to full implementation of the labour codes.
Textile workers’ leaders met Surat police commissioner Wabag Jamir and officials of the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Thursday, seeking intervention. The report did not state whether the police commissioner or the chamber had announced any specific decision following the meeting.
The weaving sector is facing a separate set of pressures. Weaving unit owners are considering shutting their units for two days a week because of high yarn prices. Worker representatives fear that reduced operating days could lower earnings and encourage additional departures. Some weaving units are also considering a 15-day vacation.
The Federation of Gujarat Weavers Welfare Association has advised its members to avoid confrontation and pursue an amicable settlement. Federation president Ashok Jirawala said workers normally leave before Diwali every year and that the number could be slightly higher this year because of the sentiment in the embroidery sector, while maintaining that textile manufacturing was otherwise functioning routinely.
The immediate developments to watch are Saturday’s owners’ meeting, the response from worker representatives and authorities, and whether proposed reductions in operating days or extended unit holidays are implemented.
