CRECHES FOR KIDS – Textile biz stitches sops to retain women workforce

To bring down attrition and increase productivity of women employees, textile industries in the state are taking a slew of measures.From building housing facilities to providing creches for kids, the textile companies are doing every bit to keep them on their roll. This has resulted in increase of women employees in textile sector in state by 30% in the past five years, double the national average of 15%.

The industry experts believe that better work environment, consistent income and several incentives by employers is attracting women into textile industry , especially in garment and fabric sections.

City-based Arvind Ltd is planning to set up a dormito ry-based manufacturing facil ity in its upcoming apparel park in Dehgam in a bid to scale up manufacturing and increase productivity . The fa cility will house around 10,000 women who will be employed in the manufacturing facility . The company also provides creches and other incentives to women employees.

In the past five years, number of women employees in Arvind Ltd has increased by more than 1,300.

The Udyog Bharti Mandal in Gondal is also constructing houses near its facility to ensure both men and women of the family can stay and work together.

“ Around 80% of the women are employed in garment sector followed by fabric and other sectors in the industry. Many companies and textile units in Saurashtra region are building facilities to house their employees with an aim to reducing absenteeism and help women focus on job,“ said Dr Chandan Chatterjee, director, Centre for Entrepreneurship Development, Gujarat.According to rough estimates, close to 90 lakh people are working in textile industry in Gujarat including 45 lakh to 50 lakh women.

“Besides providing creches for nursing mothers and kids of other staff, we have also set up a grievance cell to deal with the issues of women employees,“ said Bhavik Parikh, MD, Globe Textiles