City sees early Diwali exodus, textile workers head home

Surat: Long queues and crowded platforms at railway stations have become a familiar sight in Surat as thousands of textile workers begin leaving the city ahead of Diwali, signalling an early and possibly larger-than-usual festive-season exodus from the city’s embroidery and weaving hubs.

Worker leaders attribute the departures to growing concerns over workplace issues and a desire to avoid potential disputes with employers while returning home to celebrate Diwali with their families. While migrant workers traditionally begin leaving Surat about a week before Diwali, observers say the exodus appears to have started earlier and is larger than usual this year.

I am told by workers that embroidery unit owners are not ensuring implementation of the labour codes. In such a scenario, workers are choosing to go home instead of entering into conflict with employers,” said Ajay Dubey, a worker leader.

Embroidery unit owners, however, say they are prepared to comply with the labour codes but maintain that they cannot continue providing additional benefits offered earlier if compliance results in higher operating costs.

To arrive at a common position, unit owners have called a large meeting on Saturday, with organisers expecting more than 25,000 owners to participate. Preparations for the meeting are underway through area-wise gatherings across the city.