Lok Sabha Question No. 234 (STARRED), answered on 2025-08-05
Subject: Employment Status in Textile Sector
Ministry: TEXTILES
Asked by: Shri Sachithanantham R

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *234 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2025

## EMPLOYMENT STATUS IN TEXTILE SECTOR

## *234. SHRI SACHITHANANTHAM R:

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

- (a) the current employment status in the textile and handloom sectors in the country;
- (b) the initiatives taken/ being taken to generate more jobs in these sectors;
- (c) the average monthly wage provided to the workers of these sectors; and
- (d) the details of social security measures taken by the Government to protect the textile workers?

उत्तर

ANSWER

## वस्त्र मंत्री ( श्री गिररराज स ंह )

MINISTER OF TEXTILES (SHRI GIRIRAJ SINGH)

- (a) to (d):A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 234* TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2025 ASKED BY SHRI SACHITHANANTHAM R REGARDING 'EMPLOYMENT STATUS IN TEXTILE SECTOR'.

(a): The textile industry is one of the largest sources of employment in the country, directly employing around 45 million persons including Handloom sector.

(b): In order to generate employment opportunities in the textile sector Government is implementing various  schemes/programmes  like  SAMARTH  (Scheme  for  Capacity  Building  in  the  Textiles  Sector) National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), National Handicrafts Development Programme (NHDP), National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), PM-Mega Integrated Textiles and Apparel Park (PM-MITRA) scheme, Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme and others.

(c): Average  monthly  income  depends  upon  various  factors  such  as  location  and  sector  of employment/self-employment, level of competency acquired, part time or full time work etc. However, as per Annual Survey of Industry 2022-23, the average monthly wage is Rs. 13,948 in the Textiles Sector.

(d): Government of India is implementing a number of schemes for welfare of textile workers across the country  to  improve  and  enhance  their  social  security  benefits.  Some  of  the  interventions  for  social security of textile workers include:

Interventions  for  Handloom  Workers: The  Handloom  Weavers'  Welfare  component  under  the National Handloom Development Programme provides social security to the handloom weavers/workers. Some  of  these  measures  include  (i)  Financial  support  through  concessional  loans,  margin  money assistance, credit guarantee fee support etc. (ii) Insurance cover to handloom workers and (iii) Financial Support in indigent circumstances to Awardee Weavers/ Workers above 60 years of age having annual income below Rs.1.00 lakh.

Interventions for Handicraft Workers: Under the Direct Benefit to Artisans (Welfare) component of National  Handicraft  Development  Programme  [NHDP],  some  of  the  welfare  measures  for  handicraft workers  include  (i)  Support  to  artisans  in  indigent  circumstances  (ii)  Interest  Subvention  &  Margin Money  for  credit  facility  (iii)  Adhaar  based  photo  identity  cards  to  handicrafts  artisans  to  avail  the benefits of the schemes of Central /State Governments (iv) Insurance cover to Handicrafts Artisans and (v) Awareness Camp/ Chaupal/ Shivirs for benefit of handicraft workers.

Interventions  for  Jute  Workers: National  Jute  Board  provides  assistance  to  the  Jute  Mills  for improvement of working conditions of Jute Mill workers. Educational Support/Scholarship is also being provided to girl children of the workers of Jute Mills and Micro Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME) Jute Diversified Product units on passing out Secondary and Higher Secondary examinations.

Further,  Employees  State  Insurance  Corporation  (ESIC)  provides  social  security  like  Medical  Benefit, Sickness etc. to the textile workers working in factories / establishments with 10 or more employees in the  implemented districts  notified  by  the  Central  Government,  and  drawing  wages  up  to  ₹21,000/-  per month (₹ 25,000/- for persons with disability).