News and Events
First Summit Of “Tirupur Stakeholders Forum (TSF)” Held At Tiruppur Exporters’ Association
June 21, 2024
The First Summit of Tirupur Stakeholders’ Forum (TSF) was held on 21.06.2024 at Padmashri Dr. A Sakthivel Auditorium, TEA. TSF has been formed to bring together all the stakeholders of Tirupur Knitwear Industry like Trade Associations, Trade Unions, NGOs, Labor Welfare Department of Government of Tamil Nadu, Brands and Buyers to protect labor welfare and Industry welfare. In this conference Tirupur District Collector Mr. T. Christuraj IAS, Mr. M Pratap IAS, Director, Tamil Nadu Women’s Employment and Safety, Mr. Rana Alok Singh, South Asia Regional Director, Ethical Trading Initiative (ETI), Founder and Honorary Chairman of Tiruppur Exporters Association Padma Shri Dr. A Sakthivel, President of the Association Mr. K. M. Subramanian, Vice President Mr. Rajkumar Ramasamy, President of TSF and Vice President of the Association Mr. V. Elangovan, General Secretary Mr. N. Thirukkumaran, Treasurer Mr. R. Gopalakrishnan, Joint Secretaries Mr. T. Chinnasamy and Mr. Kumar Duraisamy, executive committee members of the association, special invitees, advisory committee members and members, trade associations, trade unions, NGOs, Tamil Nadu Government Labor Welfare Department, buyers and brands were also present.
The special guests of the conference Collector of Tirupur Mr. T. Christuraj, Director, Tamil Nadu Women’s Employment and Safety Mr. M Prathap IAS, Mr. Rana Alok Singh South Asia Regional Director – ETI were felicitated by the Honorary Chairman, President and Office Bearers of TEA.
President of TSF and Vice President of TEA Mr. V. Elangovan welcomed the gathering.
District Collector of Tiruppur Mr. T. Christuraj IAS while inaugurating the summit said that TSF was re-launched in October 2023 and subsequently, the first summit of TSF, is being held with the participation of all the stakeholders of Tirupur Knitwear Industry such as trade unions, NGOs, Labor Welfare Department of Tamil Nadu Government, brands and buyers. He appreciated the excellent service of Padmashri. Dr. A. Sakthivel to the Knitwear Industry and Tirupur Society for the past three decades.
The Director of Tamil Nadu Women’s Employment and Safety, Mr. M Prathap IAS said that he was very happy to be a part of this conference and proudly said that it was the hard work of the people of Tirupur that made the town from a small village to become a prominent spot in the world map within thirty years. He also expressed gratitude on behalf of the Government of TamilNadu for protecting Tirupur by working in an environment-friendly manner without concentrating only in business. He also mentioned that women’s employment and protection program should be implemented in Tirupur because 80% of workers in Tirupur are women.
The Founder and Honorary Chairman of TEA, Padmashri Dr. A Sakthivel, delivered the keynote address. He proudly mentioned the tireless 24 X 7 work of T Christuraj IAS and requested him to always cooperate for the development of Tirupur industry. He also appreciated the service rendered by Mr. M Pratap IAS and Mr. Rana Alok Singh (ETI). He mentioned the initiatives of TSF, which brings together trade associations, trade unions, NGOs, Labor Welfare Department of TamilNadu Government, brands and buyers. He also highlighted the Sustainability efforts of Tirupur Cluster such as zero-liquid discharge (ZLD), non-conventional energy like wind and solar power, recycling of yarn and fabric for eco-friendly and sustainable production.
President of Tirupur Exporters Association Mr. K.M. Subramanian while delivering his keynote address explained in details the various ESG measures of Tirupur Cluster like adoption of government schools for the benefit of the workers and the people, construction of roads, bamboo park, construction and maintenance of Crematoriums, cancer hospital, dialysis center, rain water harvesting, medical camps, screening camps for women for breast and cervical cancer.
Mr. Rana Alok Singh, South Asia Regional Director(ETI) while talking about the purpose of this summit said that it was very important that all the stakeholders involved in the production and sale of knitwear at different levels work together. This only would help in removing the misunderstanding between stakeholders. He said that this conference would help in planning future activities of the TSF.
At the end of the first session, the general secretary of TEA Mr. N. Thirukkumaran proposed vote of thanks.
On behalf of the Assam Migration Support Center, Prof. Mr. Ramaswamy Natarajan outlined the various measures taken by the center for the welfare of migrant workers.
Deputy Director of Directorate of Industrial Safety and Health Mr. V Pugazhenthi and Mr. V.S. Saravanan in their speech promised full cooperation to TSF in its activities for labor welfare and Industrial welfare.
In the second session of this conference, it was decided to set up committees with the participation of all the stakeholders of TSF such as trade associations, trade unions, NGOs, labor welfare department of the Tamil Nadu government, brands and buyers, leading export companies, taking into consideration the following matters through discussion.
- Setting clear long-term Objectives and chalk out the roadmap outline and design programs for clear deliverables
- Identifying Core Challenges
- Modus Operandi for handling and obtaining long term solutions for major issues such as ‘Migrant Labour Issues’, ‘Grievance handling mechanism’, ‘Gender based violence’ and Psychological health fitness of workers.
- Defining ways and means to build awareness on Corporate Social Due diligence and HR Due diligence and laws in this connection.
- Documenting all Sustainability and CSR efforts of Tiruppur Cluster.
Earlier, in response to the demands made by all trade unions and NGOs, Tiruppur Exporters Association Treasurer Mr. R. Gopalakrishnan, Joint Secretary Mr. Kumar Duraisamy and Mr. Alagesan of M/s. Eastman Exports elaborated on the various commitments made by the Tiruppur Exporters Association and the Exports fraternity for the welfare of the workers and the society.
In conclusion, the president of the association Mr. K. M. Subramanian thanked all the stakeholders who took part in the conference and recorded their views and offered suggestions and assured that TSF will work to protect the Industry, the labor, the entrepreneurs and the society.
