Surat Textile Workers’ ‘Gaon Chalo’ Movement Intensifies as Union Minister Rushes In

Surat’s textile industry faces the threat of a major disruption as more than 10 lakh migrant workers reportedly leave their jobs and return to their native villages, protesting long working hours, alleged exploitation and the denial of weekly holidays. Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh visited the city on October 9 as tensions escalated.

Workers Demand Weekly Holidays and Fair Working Conditions

Migrant workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, who form a significant part of Surat’s textile and embroidery workforce, have launched the ‘Gaon Chalo’ movement after alleging that mills routinely deny them weekly holidays and impose excessive working hours.

Workers claim they are made to work for 12 hours a day and, in some cases, throughout all 30 days of the month without a weekly day off. They also allege that taking leave because of illness or exhaustion can result in wage deductions.

Workers further claim that those seeking leave to visit their native villages after working for seven or eight months face withheld wages or dismissal. Some have alleged that hundreds of workers have lost their jobs for demanding a weekly Sunday holiday.

The movement has prompted large numbers of workers to leave their jobs and return home, with some reportedly prepared to seek daily-wage work in their villages instead.

Crowds Gather at Surat Railway Station

The reported exodus has led to heavy crowds and long queues at Surat railway station, particularly among workers trying to board trains bound for Uttar Pradesh and Bihar.

The departure of such a large section of the workforce has raised concerns among textile manufacturers, as Surat’s textile and embroidery businesses depend heavily on migrant labour for production.

If workers continue to leave and mills struggle to recruit replacements, the disruption could affect production schedules and business operations across the sector.

Union Textiles Minister Visits Surat

Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh arrived in Surat amid the growing controversy and addressed questions about workers’ demands and the potential impact on the industry at a press conference at the circuit house.

However, he did not provide specific answers to several questions about the reported exodus and the possibility of textile units grinding to a halt, saying he would be able to respond after further discussions.

On the relationship between mill owners and workers, Singh said both sides should regard each other as members of the same family. He argued that cooperation between employers and workers was necessary for the industry to function effectively.

His remarks came amid workers’ allegations that they were being denied basic workplace benefits, including a weekly holiday and reasonable working hours.

Textile Industry Faces Uncertainty

Surat is one of India’s major textile and embroidery hubs, with a workforce that includes large numbers of migrants from other states. Any sustained departure of workers could leave mills short-staffed and threaten production.

The immediate concern is whether mill owners will address workers’ demands for weekly holidays, better working conditions and more manageable shifts.

With the ‘Gaon Chalo’ movement gathering momentum, the response from textile employers and the outcome of discussions involving the Union Textiles Minister could shape the next phase of the dispute.