Female employees, especially those in garments and textile industry face lot of challenges like low wages, unsafe working conditions, extreme work pressures, extended working hours without adequate over-time allowance, denial of leave, bonus, cancellation of employment if gone on maternity leave and a much more.
In recent times, sexual harassment in workplaces has also become a threat to the tranquility of the female workers. In order to prevent such hazards taking place in the garments, textiles and mills, The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) held the official release of the Code/Guidelines for Employment in Textile Industry in the SIMA Seminar Hall, recently.
The Code/Guidelines was released by Kannegi Packianathan IAS (Retd) , Chairperson, Tamil Nadu State Commission for Women. She addressed the members of the press and conveyed that 75% of employees in textile sector are women and taking care of their emotional and personal health is a responsibility of the companies. She mentioned that the female employees are found to be anemic due to their work pressure. She said that the SIMA code will make sure that its member organizations maintain highest of standards when it comes to their relationship with the employees, especially to the female workers.
With the new and improved code/guidelines, Women employees who stay in the hostels compounds offered by the mills can now feel a lot more safe and secure. The code also advises the employers and especially the hostel wardens to notice for a change in the behavior of a female employee if found to be stressed out. During the interaction of Kannegi Packianathan it was learned that counselors will be there in the mills to make the stressed employee vent out her pent up pains.
She mentioned that the new code will make it mandatory for the companies to form an Internal Complaints Committee, and this will give the strength for women to press charges against the abusive behaviors of anyone in her workplace. Kannegi also suggested that biometrics should be included in all the companies and hostels.