TEA Pushes For BHAVYA Apparel Parks, Migrant Worker Housing
The Tiruppur textile and apparel industry has urged the Tamil Nadu government to prioritise sustainable manufacturing infrastructure, migrant worker welfare and financial relief for dyeing units to strengthen the State’s export competitiveness.
The demands were raised by Kumar Duraisamy, Joint Secretary of the Tiruppur Exporters’ Association (TEA), during a consultative meeting organised by the South India Mills’ Association (SIMA) with representatives of textile industry associations from Coimbatore, Tiruppur and Erode districts. The meeting, held on July 4, was chaired by Tamil Nadu Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce Minister Keerthana.
Duraisamy said India’s recently concluded Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with several countries present significant opportunities for Tiruppur’s export sector. To capitalise on these opportunities, he stressed that sustainable and environmentally responsible manufacturing would be critical for maintaining global competitiveness.
He urged the State government to establish sustainable integrated apparel parks across Tamil Nadu under the Central Government’s BHAVYA scheme, with Tiruppur given priority owing to its position as India’s leading knitwear export hub.
Highlighting workforce-related challenges, Duraisamy also called for large-scale housing facilities for migrant workers and improved access to quality education for their children, describing both as essential to sustaining the textile and apparel industry’s labour force.
He further drew attention to the financial burden faced by Tiruppur’s dyeing units, many of which had invested heavily in implementing Zero Liquid Discharge (ZLD) systems through borrowings. While acknowledging the Tamil Nadu government’s Rs 200 crore interest-free loan support for these environmental initiatives, he requested that the assistance be converted into grants and waived as a special policy measure in recognition of the industry’s substantial investments and environmental contributions.
