About 200 garment workers representing various unions, Bangalore Committee in the Struggle for Living Wages for Garment Workers, members of the Garment Labour Union, Garment and Textile Workers Union and the Karnataka Garment Workers Union gathered for a public hearing on Sunday.
They spoke about the issues they face on a daily basis.
Bangalore alone has about 5 lakh garment workers, who are currently earning anywhere between `4500-5000 per month and work under extreme conditions.
The workers complained that it is impossible to live in the city with such a meagre salary.
The workers also spoke of the harassment they are compelled to face regularly in factories.
The high production targets that are imposed result in health problems.
They are made to stand or sit continuously in a single position for 8-10 hours a day, with almost no breaks, causing serious illness, they claimed.
The lack of basic amenities in the factories which are mandatory under the law, including drinking water, were highlighted.
The issues raised will be followed up with a National Tribunal on living wages and conditions of garment workers which will be held in November, 2012