Surat Factory Workers Detained Amid Protests for Fair Wages and Weekly Offs

In a significant show of dissent, approximately 70 workers from embroidery factories in Surat, Gujarat, were taken into custody by the police on Thursday during a protest aimed at securing better wages and weekly off days. The demonstration unfolded outside the collector’s office, where the workers rallied for their rights, only to be met with police intervention citing the lack of permission for such a gathering.

Local authorities swiftly detained many workers before they could fully commence their demonstration. The protest was primarily focused on essential demands such as a mandated weekly off on Sundays, an eight-hour workday, and improved salary structures. Participants voiced concerns regarding oppressive working conditions, including alleged 12-hour shifts and the denial of statutory weekly holidays, which have become a point of contention for many migrant workers in the region.

The movement, which began on August 15, is part of the broader “Gaon Chalo Abhiyan” (Go to the Village Campaign), reflecting the ongoing struggles faced by laborers in one of India’s largest textile manufacturing hubs. Surat attracts a significant workforce from various states, including Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Odisha, many of whom endure difficult living and working conditions.

Adding to the tension, workers alleged that senior leaders who attempted to advocate for their rights were also arrested, further fueling discontent among the protesting laborers. Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh visited Surat on October 9, urging both workers and employers to tackle the issues collaboratively, suggesting that they should view each other as two sides of the same coin in the pursuit of harmonious relations.

As the situation continues to evolve, the demand for fair labor practices remains at the forefront of discussions in Surat, where the livelihoods of countless migrant workers depend on the resolution of these pressing issues.

Source: scroll.in