Textiles under wages Act urged

Coimbatore: The Tamilnadu Joint Action Council of Textile Trade Unions has asked the State Government to bring the textile industry under the Minimum Wages Act.

The council in a submission to the Labour Minister, Mr Anbarasan, said that the previous Government which had brought forward a draft notification in 2005, failed to bring in the legislation, despite the Labour department's recommendations in this regard. The textile unions said workers are being offered only distress wages of Rs 25 to Rs 60 per day. It also called upon the government to end 'camp coolie' employment of young women workers who are engaged in the textile units in the state under the guise of 'contract' labour system. These young workers are sheltered within the factory premises and made to work beyond the normal working hours.