The Kerala Tailoring Workers Forum (KTWF) has appealed to the state government to take immediate action to solve the growing problems faced by tailoring workers across Kerala.
The demand was raised during the KTWF State Conference held at Ernakulam Town Hall in Kochi on May 25. Leaders at the conference said tailoring workers are facing serious difficulties due to anti-labour policies and increasing monopolisation in the garment industry.
The conference was inaugurated by Hibi Eden, while KTWF State President Babu Thannikkode presided over the meeting. Several Church leaders, labour representatives, and community leaders also attended the gathering.
Among the speakers were Bishop Sylvester Ponnumuthan, Bishop Jose Porunnedom, and T. J. Vinod. They stressed the need for stronger welfare measures and better policy support for tailoring workers.
The conference passed a resolution requesting the Tailoring Workers Welfare Fund Board to introduce special skill development programmes and improve welfare and retirement benefits according to present-day needs.
Delegates also demanded a review of the discontinued service pension scheme and asked that merit scholarships be provided to all eligible children of members.
The forum further requested that marriage assistance benefits, currently available only for daughters, should also be extended to sons. Participants also sought financial support for the families of deceased pension members.
Ten tailoring workers from different districts were honoured during the conference for their dedication and contribution to the profession.
KTWF leaders said urgent policy intervention is necessary to protect the livelihood and dignity of tailoring workers in Kerala.
