Why embroidery workers in Surat are protesting and what are their demands?

Surat’s embroidery workers are preparing to intensify their three-month-long agitation over working hours, wages and weekly holidays, with labour leader Shaan Khan saying the union will announce its next phase of protests soon, The New Indian Express reported on Monday.

Khan has reportedly urged workers across the Gujarat textile hub to remain prepared for fresh mobilisation. He said the agitation would continue until their demands were addressed. The union has not yet announced any details. The workers are demanding eight-hour shifts, a paid weekly holiday, minimum wages and overtime payments.

They also want their earnings for an eight-hour shift to be comparable to what they currently earn for a 12-hour shift. Workers allege that embroidery units routinely require them to work for 12–14 hours a day, sometimes operating multiple machines, without adequate rest or compensation.

Wage structure at the centre of the disputeThe disagreement between workers and employers centres on how shorter shifts and weekly holidays would affect wages. According to Down To Earth, the Textile Embroidery Jobwork Association of Surat (TEJAS) proposed a monthly wage of ₹14,300 for an eight-hour shift and ₹35,000 for a 12-hour shift following discussions on October 10 and 11.