Chennai garment workers are up in arms for revision in wages. Around three lakh workers, mostly women are employed in about 5,000 garment units around Chennai. Addressing the media recently, S Elizabeth Rani, Treasurer of the Union, said she has been working for nine years and earns Rs 4,000 a month. “I have not had much of a hike in salary. But the cost of essential items has gone up manifold. I am forced to borrow money to meet my daily expenses,” she said.

Labour department officials assured the Union members that a draft notification would be released soon on the minimum wages. Members of the Union want the state government to fix the minimum wage of such workers at Rs 10 ,000 a month. Sujata Mody, President of the Union, said that currently, workers are given daily wages of Rs 130-Rs 140. The union has been fighting for a revision in wages since 2009. “We obtained an order in 2010 to vacate an interim stay sought by employers not to implement the minimum wages act notification,” she said.

Employers are now forcing workers to resign or rejoin company to avoid giving them hikes. “We are creating awareness among the workers that they would be treated as new employees and lose their previous service and benefits such as provident fund and gratuity,” she said.