Question

Describe the condition of the factory workers at a chikankari unit.

Answer 1

The chikankari clothes are very famous in India and abroad. However, the real artisans and producers of these clothes still remain in a hand to mouth existence due to very low wages paid by the factory owners. The workers at the factory are made to do maximum possible work with minimal amount of wages. The majority of workers are women who are employed on a temporary basis. They have no surety of work and are only called upon when they are needed. Also, they are paid based only on their skills. The workers at the factory are categorised into tailors and other helpers needed for ironing, packaging, thread cutting and buttoning. The highest paid workers are the tailors who manage to get about Rs 4,000 per month while the helpers are only able to get Rs 1,500. These workers are made to work for unusually long hours (12–13 hours a day) and there is no provision for their healthcare needs. Thus, the condition of the factory workers at a chikankari unit remains pathetic and a reason for concern.