Mass Exodus of Workers: A Case of Strike in Power Loom Industry in Surat

Abstract

Power loom industry in Surat, an industrial city in South Gujarat (Western India) was paralyzed due to the strike of power loom workers; most of them were the migrant workers. The workers were on strike demanded a rise in wages, which resulted in mass exodus of workers from the city to their hometowns. Due to the low wages, workers were also forced to live in inhumane conditions. The strike went on for a week and the industry lost Rs 720 crore. The paper describes the various events of the strike and the role and effects of various stakeholders. It also discusses the effect of strike on the industry. The findings contradict the belief that industrial relations is loosing importance. It also opposes the view that industry had started taking care of workers and workers are happy with the human resources development policies of the organizations. The strike is a testimony to the fact that the conditions of workers are not very good even in the most industrially developed places. Governments, executing bodies, trade unions and workers have to go a long way in improving the conditions of workers and ensuring that they live a decent life.

Keywords: Trade union, industrial relations, exodus