(a) the total value and quantity of textile goods exported during each of the last three years and current year, item-wise;
(b) whether deteriorating condition of labour is the hurdle in increasing the export; and
(c) if so, the steps taken in this regard and the details of incentives/assistance provided to the exporters?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TEXTILES (SHRI E.V.K.S. ELANGOVAN)
(a) : A statement is attached.
(b)& (c): No Sir. The Government is fully committed to protecting and safeguarding the interest of workers with due regard to create a healthy work environment for higher production and productivity leading to higher exports. Government has undertaken various schemes and programmes for enhancement of welfare of workers so as to provide social security including vocational training to the workers. Some of the important initiatives specific to textile sector, are given below:
i) Textile Workers’ Rehabilitation Fund Scheme (TWRFS) is in operation for providing interim relief to workers rendered unemployed due to permanent closure of any mill.
ii) To provide the industry with world class infrastructure facilities for setting up their textile units, a new scheme namely, Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks’ has been launched by merging existing two schemes i.e. Textile Centres Infrastructure Development Scheme (TCIDS) and Apparel Parks for Exports Scheme (APES). The Scheme has provisions for training and design centres, crèche, canteen, workers hostel, labour rest and recreation facilities.
iii) The National Institute for Fashion Technology (NIFT), its seven branches, and the Apparel Training & Design Centres (ATDCs) are running various courses/programmes to meet the skilled manpower requirements of the textile industry, especially apparel, in the field of design, merchandising and marketing. The training infrastructure for human resource development of skilled and semi-skilled workers at supervisory and managerial level itself adds to the security of job of the workers, besides contributing positively to the factory output in terms of quality and productivity.
iv) The Textiles Committee is providing consultancy services to the industry for implementation of ISO 9000 Quality Management Systems; ISO 14000 Environment Management Systems; SA 8000 Social Accountability Standard; Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS 18001) and Compliance and Supply Chain Management Systems. The implementation of these systems by the manufacturing company demonstrates its commitment to the environmental, social and quality issues, which result in not only better working environment leading to improved productivity but also compliance to national statutes and international market requirement.
v) Recent initiatives in the handloom sector include Health Insurance Scheme; Life Insurance Scheme; Cluster Development Scheme; Skill upgradation measures etc. In the handicraft sector, Credit Guarantee Scheme has been launched.
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