An alliance of 16 garment workers’ trade unions and NGOs from across the country will gather for National People’s Tribunal which will kick-start from Thursday in the city.
The three-day tribunal on living wages for garment workers will have their testimonies on living and working conditions.
Announcing the tribunal agenda, Anannya Bhattacharjee, International Coordinator, Asia, Floor Wage Alliance said the Indian textile industry was pegged at $55 billion and accounts for 14 per cent of the industrial production and four per cent of the GDP.
“The industry employs 3.5 crore people and accounts for nearly 12 per cent of the country’s total exports. Despite the economic importance of the industry, garment workers earn less than half of what is needed to support their families. Living wages and decent working conditions are human rights but they are denied to garment workers,” she said.
An independent jury comprising eminent people from different walks of life will examine the testimonies and give a verdict.
“The purpose of the tribunal is to present the jury with different perspectives about the garment industry,” said Vinay Sreenivasa, an activist in the city.
The jury comprises members of Permanent People’s Tribunal from Italy, senior specialists on international labour standards, economists from Jawaharlal Nehru University, senior journalists and advocates.
The tribunal will be held at the Krishna Raja Parishan Mandir in Chamarajpet on November 22, 23 and 25.