Workers employed in textile mills across Tamil Nadu are enduring the disappointment of receiving lower bonuses for Deepavali this year in contrast to the previous year. Alarming data released by a Coimbatore-based textile mill association reveals that a majority of textile mills have paid either reduced bonuses compared to last year or barely met the minimum requirement of 8.33%. This concerning trend highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the textile industry in the state, according to an anonymous industry source.
Reasons for Reduced Bonus:
Various factors have been cited by textile mill management as the reasons behind this unfortunate decline. These include the scarcity of orders for yarn, low capacity utilization, and financial losses. The decreasing number of permanent workers in textile mills over the years indicates that management could have managed to allocate higher bonuses to the remaining permanent employees, who often lack additional allowances. The bonus amount serves as a crucial means for these workers to meet their major expenses.
Worker Advocacy:
Officials from the HMS union, represented by T.S. Rajamani, highlighted the plight of the industry while urging workers to accept lower bonuses this year due to the challenging circumstances. Union agreements with select mills have resulted in slightly higher bonus payments but are being distributed in multiple instalments.
Concerns in the Industry:
As the festival nears, textile mill managements are gradually disbursing bonus amounts, but most are merely meeting the legally required minimum. Open-end spinning mills, which faced production shutdowns due to escalating costs and unfavourable yarn prices, have still managed to provide bonuses to their workers.
Conclusion:
The reduced bonuses being disbursed to textile workers in Tamil Nadu this Deepavali season amplifies the distress faced by the industry as a whole. With financial challenges plaguing the sector, both workers and management are grappling with the ongoing crisis. As the festival approaches, workers will inevitably face greater financial constraints, necessitating attention and support from both the government and the industry.
