Tamil Nadu Women’s Commission Seeks Stronger Workplace Grievance Mechanisms in Tiruppur
Commission calls for regular POSH awareness programmes and recommends measures to gradually phase out adolescent labour in factories and mills
The Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women has recommended regular awareness programmes for women workers in Tiruppur on workplace grievance redress mechanisms and the functioning of Internal Complaints Committees (ICC). The recommendation followed a two-day inspection of seven textile and garment manufacturing establishments in the district, where the Commission found limited awareness among workers about the ICCs and noted that committee details were not prominently displayed at some establishments.
The inspection was led by A.S. Kumari, Chairperson of the Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women, along with officials from the Social Welfare Department, Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health, Labour Department and Police Department.
Commission seeks effective functioning of ICCs
The inspection focused on workplace safety and security, minimum wages, indicators of forced or bonded labour, labour rights, working conditions, freedom of employment and movement, prevention of sexual harassment and the functioning of ICCs under the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013 (POSH Act).
The team also examined the welfare of migrant workers and the physical and psychological well-being of women workers.
“The Committee is of the view that merely constituting the ICC is insufficient, unless it functions effectively and in accordance with the statutory requirements,” Ms. Kumari said in her follow-up report submitted to the Secretary, Department of Labour Welfare and Skill Development, Government of Tamil Nadu.
The Commission conducted confidential inquiries with women workers regarding potential illegal advances and verified statutory, wage and employment records. Discussions were also held with management and human resource representatives.
The inspection team additionally examined hostels, clinics, rest rooms, sanitation facilities and worker accommodation.
Commission raises concern over adolescent workers
The Commission noted the presence of workers in the 15–17 age group in certain establishments.
Management representatives stated that their employment was permitted under the Child and Adolescent Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, as amended, and provided age-verification and medical-fitness records.
However, the Commission expressed concern about the suitability of employing adolescents in industrial environments involving machinery, dust exposure, heat and other occupational risks.
The Commission said Tamil Nadu could consider measures to gradually reduce and ultimately eliminate adolescent labour in factory and mill establishments. According to the report, such measures would further strengthen child protection standards and promote educational opportunities.
Wage and labour practices examined
The Commission also called for appropriate action by the Tiruppur district administration to ensure payment of wages for weekly rest days in accordance with applicable labour welfare provisions.
The district administration has been asked to submit an Action Taken Report within nine weeks.
The inspection found that a majority of the workforce, particularly women migrant workers, were from Odisha. The Commission reported that there was no evidence of forced labour, bonded labour or coercive employment practices.
Wages were found to be paid through bank transfers, with only permissible deductions for Provident Fund being made.
The report stated that an average wage of approximately ₹500 per day for an eight-hour work shift was prevalent across the inspected establishments.
The Commission's recommendations place emphasis on strengthening workplace grievance mechanisms, improving awareness of statutory protections and addressing labour and welfare concerns in Tiruppur's textile and garment manufacturing sector.