Chennai, March 23 (BPNS)
The migrant workers of Tiruppur who have come searching for work from North Indian states and North Eastern states are slowly turning into alcohol in Tiruppur leading to absenteeism from work. The migrant workers taking leave for consecutive days has become a common phenomenon in Tiruppur leading to pending works and loss of orders for many exporters in the area.
Simran Ray, wife of Arjun Das from Uttar Pradesh while speaking to BPNS said, “My husband is only 28 years of age and we have two children. He was earning around Rs 600 pm and we were provided a family room and gas connection and water supply by the textile company owner. However, of late my husband turned alcoholic and life has become miserable. He is not attending factory regularly and is now on the verge of losing his job.”
President, Tiruppur Exporters and Manufacturers Association, Muthurathinam while speaking to BPNS said, “ The workers from North India and North Eastern states are hardworking people and have a finesse in their profession. They were not having any bad habits like local people and were always on time for duty but of late they have slowly but surely become alcohol addicts.”
He said that a migrant worker earns around 600 rupees per day while those working as tailors earn around Rs 4500 a week and added that most of them being single, slowly turn to alcohol on their holidays.
President of Powerloom Unit owners association, R. Velusamy while speaking to BPNS said, “Workers from North are preferred as they don’t bargain for wages. A large number of migrant workers are employed in power loom units in Palladam, Mangalam, and Thekkallur.”
Both Muthurathinam and Velusamy said that the absenteeism of migrant workers and their lack of interest has led to a lull in the production at these units. This has affected the export of materials from Tiruppur which is the hosiery capital of India.
Muthurathinam while speaking to BPNS said, “ The garment export industry was slowly coming back to normal after the Covid -19 pandemic and this lack of enthusiasm among our majority labourers who have migrated here has affected us. Alcoholism is the major reason for the lethargy of these people.
