Lok Sabha Question No. 2748 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-08-02
Subject: Jobless Workers of Closed Textile Mills
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: SANKAR PRASAD DATTA

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.2748 TO BE ANSWERED ON. 02.08.2018

## JOBLESS WORKERS OF CLOSED TEXTILE MILLS

## 2748.   SHRI SANKAR PRASAD DATTA:

Will the Minister of TEXTILES वस्त्र मंरी be pleased to state:

- (a) whether a large number of textile workers who have become jobless due to closure of textile units in the country or due to some other reasons and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether  the  Government  has  any  policy  for  rehabilitation  and  welfare  of  these  jobless workers and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government proposes to impart training to these jobless workers with the help of National Institute of  Fashion Technology and if  so, the details thereof and the steps taken thereon; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  proposes  any  special  package  for  the  displaced  labourers  in  this sector and if so, the details thereof?

## उत्तर

## ANSWER वस्त्र राज्य मंरी ( श्री अजय टम्टा )

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TEXTILES (SHRI AJAY TAMTA)

- (a) to (d); The details of number of workers employed in textile mills in the last three years are as follows:

| 2015-16   |   973232 |
|-----------|----------|
| 2016-17   |   993948 |
| 2017-18 * |   994123 |

With a view to supporting the industry and creating employment in the textile sector, the government had launched several policy initiatives and is implementing schemes such as the Technology  Upgradation  Fund  Scheme  (TUFS),  Scheme  for  Development  of  Technical Textiles, PowerTex India-the Comprehensive Scheme for the Development of the Powerloom Sector, Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITP), Scheme for Capacity Building in Textile Sector - 'Samarth'(which is available to any individual seeking  assistance for skilling as well as  for  upgrading  skills)  'Silk  Samagra'-the  Scheme  for  Development  of  Silk  and  Sericulture sectors  and  sectoral  schemes  relating  to  Handloom,  Handicrafts  etc,  etc.  These  schemes  are aimed at supporting the  setting up of new units as well as expansion of existing units which have potential for generating large employment opportunities.

With a view to giving thrust to the employment - oriented garmenting and made-ups sectors,  the  government  launched  a  Special  Package  in  June  and  December,  2016  which includes  several  labour  friendly  measures  and  export  boosting  measures  such  as  the  Pradhan Mantri  Paridhan  Rojgar  Protsahan  Yojana  (PMPRPY)  where  the  Ministry  funds  additional 3.67%  of  the  employers'  contribution  of  EPF  in  addition  to  8.33%,  given  under  PMRPY; additional subsidy under 'ATUFS' for apparel and made-ups sectors; Rebate on State levies for apparel and made-up sector; and additional tax incentives for apparel sector.

Further,  the  Ministry  of  Textiles  has  been  implementing  the  Textile  Workers Rehabilitation Fund Scheme (TWRFS) with effect from 15.09.1986. Under the scheme, interim relief is provided to textile workers rendered unemployed as consequences of permanent closure of  private  non-SSI  mills.  This  scheme  has  since  been  merged  with  Rajiv  Gandhi  Shramik Kalyan Yojana of Ministry of labour & Employment with effect from 01.04.2017.

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