Labour reforms vital for textile industry'

Mumbai: Labour reforms are the need of the hour for the Indian textile industry, and keeping this goal in mind the reform measures would be decided upon by the end of this year, said the Union Textile Minister, Mr Shanker Sinh Vaghela. He was addressing the inaugural session of the fourth International Textile and Apparel Congress (ITAC) here on Thursday.

Mr Vaghela said measures such as increasing the minimum working hours in exclusive textile zones to 60 hours a week from the current 48 hours and changing contract labour laws were being contemplated. The Ministry would recommend liberalisation of labour laws for Special Economic Zones and textile parks.

Indian textile industry has developed to such an extent that it is capable of fulfilling the textile requirements of the globe, he said.

Mr Vaghela called upon foreign textile companies to invest in India, given that the country offered a skilled labour force, good infrastructure and raw materials, leading to maximum profits.

The Miroglio Group, which is one of the top 10 Italian textile companies and having a turnover of 950 million euro, has included India in its expansion plans. Mr Giuseppe Miroglio, President, Miroglio Group, said the group was considering entry into Indian markets in the coming two years.

Miroglio Group's China business is worth 20 million.