India: Textile industry again comes to halt in Surat

Industry news

India: Textile industry again comes to halt in Surat

The ongoing agitation by textile workers over wage hike last week in powerloom units in Pandesara has spread to Udhna and Bhatar industrial areas, severely affecting production in the country's biggest man-made fabric (MMF) hub in the city.

At least one lakh powerloom machines have come stopped production in Udhna and Bhatar. Some of the workers leading the agitation have started moving around in other industrial areas of the city to garner support for the agitation. Industry sources said daily production of more than 1.5 crore meters of unfinished fabric has stopped completely.

Federation of Surat Textile Traders Association's (FOSTTA) former president Devkishan Manghani said, "There is going to be an acute shortage of unfinished fabrics in the next few days as many weaving units are closed. This will increase grey fabric prices, which will ultimately be passed on to the traders."

The powerloom sector is facing a short supply of labour as 4 lakh migrant workers from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Odisha, have not rejoined the units after Holi, due to the Lok Sabha election. Most workers are expected to return only after the election results are announced on May 16.