In a recent development, Madras High Court has reportedly ordered a pay hike of up to 30 per cent for textile and garment workers in the state of Tamil Nadu. Under the ruling, the wage increase would be from monthly average of Rs. 4,500 to Rs. 6,500, which according to the activists is comparable to wages offered in the other states of the country.
The media reports claim that the HC dismissed over 500 petitions filled by the T&C manufacturers against the hike. The manufacturers and exporters, catering to many international brands, are of the opinion that the new wages would be “practically impossible” to introduce, considering the current global economic slowdown.
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The campaigners are further demanding the State Government to ensure immediate execution of Court orders by the textile firms. It has been reported that under the Minimum Wages Act of India, introduced in 1948, the State Governments are required to increase the basic minimum wage of workers every five years, but textile manufacturers have been repeatedly challenging these pay hikes in Tamil Nadu since 2004 when the Government revised wages.
Glad over the decision made, Penn Thozhilalargal Sangam, a women workers’ union, maintains, “It is a huge victory in a long drawn (out) battle to get workers their due as the workers have been living in impoverished conditions with inflation and prices on the up.”
If executed, this will reportedly be the first minimum wage hike in more than 12 years in Tamil Nadu.
