Textile firms in South India are experiencing severe shortage of labour and are now scouting for labour in the
North-Eastern States. According to sources, there has been a good response from the Tripura government, there
is likely to be a code of conduct for migrant workers.
Tamil Nadu accounts for nearly 45 per cent of the spinning capacity in the country, 70 per cent of the knitted
garment manufacturing capacity and 22 per cent of weaving. Around six million people are directly employed by
the sector. The sector has been facing labour shortage the past ten years or so, due to tremendous boost in
manufacturing facilities. In major clusters like Coimbatore, Tirupur, Dindigul, migrant workers account for
anything between 30 per cent and 90 per cent of the workforce, depending on the mills.
According to P Nataraj, Chairman, SIMA, with the increase in demand for migrant workers across the nation, the
mills started facing high attrition. SIMA has started direct recruitment on its formal placement cell for its
members, and initially is sourcing human resources from Tripura.
Nataraj added that the mills face numerous problems in sourcing, mobilising, recruiting and retaining migrant
workers for a reasonable period. In order to overcome these issues, SIMA had written to the Labour and
Employment Departments of various states upcountry including the North Eastern States. The Government of
Tripura immediately responded and came forward to extend all support for recruitment and organised an exclusive
Job Fair with SIMA.