The Federation of Readymade Garments and Hosiery Association of India has called will go on a two-day nationwide ‘silent protest’ and hunger strike from tomorrow in protest against the 10 per cent excise duty on apparels,hosieries and made-ups announced in the Union Budget.
The protest will witness participation from textile dominated regions like Bangalore, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmadabad, Indore and Ludhiana and other minor centres, including Varanasi, Kanpur, Saharanpur, Bellary and Tirupur fully supporting the protest, a Federation press release said.
About 10 lakh people from about three lakh units across India are expected to participate in the strike, it said.
The entire industry plans to remain shut for these days, resulting in an expected loss of about Rs 250 crore a day.
The industry employs more than 50 million people directly or indirectly and provides livelihood to eight per cent of the population. More than 40 percent of the workforce is women.
The Federation said raw cotton prices had shot up by 150 per cent and yarn by 100 per cent, as also inputs like elastic, sewing thread and labour. This has resulted in a 30 to 50 per cent increase in prices of readymade garments, hosiery goods and made-ups, putting immense pressure on the industry.
The position has been further aggravated by mandatory imposition of excise duty, it said.
