I have been working in the garment industry for the past 10 years. I withdrew my PF five years ago for my wedding expenses. This won’t be possible with the new rules. PF is the only savings for women working in this sector. If we are not allowed to withdraw PF at will, we don’t want PF. Give that money as part of our monthly salary
- Kamala (31), garment factory worker
We are protesting only because we want justice. It is wrong on the part of the police to brutally beat up women. Moreover, we work in harsh conditions; the timings are strict, hours are long and we even face harassment at the workplace. Now, the government wants to snatch our money too
- Ratnamma (37), garment factory worker
Nobody works in this industry till they turn 58. In many factories, managements ensure that workers quit before they complete five years to deny gratuity. How can the government expect us to wait till we turn 58 to withdraw PF? Usually, garment workers who have crossed the age of 40 are not taken back because they cannot meet targets
- Savitha (28), garment factory worker
There are many cases of factories not paying their share of the PF for years together. How can we expect the employer’s share of PF to be safe till we turn 58? If we cannot withdraw our PF money, it will push us into debt
- Kantaraju, supervisor at a garment factory
