An interaction meeting was held on 25^th October 2024 on behalf of the Tiruppur Exporters’ Association and the Tirupur Stakeholders Forum (TSF), an initiative of TEA with all Trade Unions on the current Industrial situation in Tirupur.

In this meeting the President of the association Shri. K. M. Subramanian, Vice President and Chairman of TSF Shri. V. Elangovan, General Secretary of TEA Shri. N. Thirukkumaran, Joint Secretary Shri. Kumar Duraiswamy, Business Promotion, Branding and Sustainability Sub-Committee Chairman Shri. M. Anand and Vice Chairman Shri. K. Mezhiselvan and representatives of all Trade Unions of Tirupur participated.

President of the Association Shri. K.M. Subramanian presided over this program which was coordinated and presented by General Secretary of TEA Shri.  N. Thirukkumaran.

TSF Chairman and Vice President of TEA Shri. V. Elangovan in his welcome address on behalf of TEA and TSF said that all industrial disputes, if any, should be resolved by the entrepreneurs and trade unions over mutual discussion. He mentioned that due to the current unusual situation in Bangladesh, Tirupur has excellent opportunities for increasing the exports and that cooperation of all trade unions is necessary for export development and labor welfare in Tirupur Cluster.

Joint Secretary of TEA Shri. Kumar Duraiswamy, while speaking on the purpose of the meeting, said that the industry has not grown much for the last ten years due to various abnormal conditions prevailing around the globe. How ever the export value has increased by 17% in US dollar terms in the last few months and is on the way to progress. He also pointed out that while traders in the US and European countries are interested in placing more orders with Tirupur suppliers, he mentioned that various unidentified and unrecognized organizations are working from many parts of the country with the aim of destroying the trade of Tirupur and to prevent this we all should stand together and make efforts to protect the industry. He said that this meeting would be a step for moving towards a Zero Level Tolerance. He also said that TSF would organize such regular meetings once every two months.

President of the Association Shri. K. M. Subramanian, in his keynote address, said that currently the global market is in favor of Tirupur, with knitwear exports grew by around 22% by August 2024. He said that by the end of this year we are definitely hoping to register at least 15% growth. The European and American Governments have put in place strict legislations on sustainability principles, Tirupur is already following these principles and carrying out production. He said that all stakeholders including all trade unions should work together for the growth of the industry and creation of employment in Tirupur.

The representatives of all the trade unions who participated in the meeting expressed their views on the development of Tirupur. This included “Solving the problems between the management and the trade union by mutual consultation”, “If the solution is not reached, then the Tiruppur Exporters’ Association should intervene and solve it”, “Making a master plan for the development of Tirupur by all stakeholders including TEA and Trade Unions” and “immediate steps for functioning of Tirupur ESI Hospital for the welfare of Tirupur workers” and assured that the trade unions will give full support to all measures taken in the interest of Tirupur and Tirupur industry/labour.

Joint Secretary of TEA Shri. Kumar Duraiswamy thanked everyone who participated in the meeting.