Its official! Over one lakh women workers of apparel factories in Karnataka (mostly in Bengaluru) are left without a job, as many units that were shut due to COVID-19, have not reopened. Karnataka Labour Minister A. Shivaram Hebbar shared this fact in the legislative assembly while replying to a question being asked by Nagesh BC, BJP MLA who was concerned about the facilities provided to female workers in apparel industry. “As many as 983 garment factories were functioning last year and 2,86,747 women employees were working, but this year almost over 1 lakh women have not been able to join duty considering many garment factories haven’t still opened due to COVID-19. Garment factories are in such a state today,” he said. Irrespective of whatever progress the factories have done with regard to compliance, 396 factories were served notices as they did not provide the requisite facilities to the female workers as mandatory by rule. Besides, 239 factories/owners have been booked for not paying minimum wages to the women workers. The Minister further added, “We know that there are factories that have not implemented the rules properly and we will take serious and necessary action in this regard.” It is also pertinent to mention that in Karnataka, there are no officials at the district and taluk level who can look into the enforcement of rules. There is also shortage of staff and Lokaeva Ayoga will fill up the vacancies. The Minister assured that the State Government will take necessary steps for the safety and welfare of women employees of garment industry. Karnataka is one of the leading states of India as far as apparel manufacturing is concerned, and nearly all top apparel exporters have their units in the state.
