Surat: Union textiles minister Giriraj Singh on Friday alleged that attempts were being made to create unrest in Surat by certain political elements and urged textile industrialists to resolve the ongoing dispute with embroidery workers amicably to ensure that industrial activity is not disrupted.Singh, who began a three-day visit to Surat on Friday amid growing tensions between embroidery unit owners and workers demanding eight-hour shifts and paid weekly offs, claimed that some political elements were trying to disturb the peaceful industrial atmosphere.“Political people have become unemployed and are attempting to disturb the country’s peaceful atmosphere,” Singh alleged while interacting with textile industrialists. Urging employers to resolve the dispute through dialogue, he said, “Solve this issue like a family.”Drawing parallels with his home state of Bihar, Singh claimed that industrial activity in Begusarai had suffered in the past because of communist influence.“I come from Bihar. Due to communists in my constituency Begusarai earlier, oil refinery unit had closed, all industrial estates closed, thermal power closed, fertilizer closed. After Narendra Modi came to power, around Rs 50,000 crore investment was made, refinery revamped, fertilizer unit started,” he said.Singh stressed that industries flourish in a peaceful environment and warned against allowing disputes to disrupt Surat’s industrial growth.Calling Surat “Mini India”, he said workers and entrepreneurs from states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh had contributed to the city’s growth. He urged stakeholders to understand why people migrate in search of employment and ensure that the conditions attracting workers to Surat are not disturbed.Praising Gujarat’s social harmony, Singh said the state had maintained brotherhood among communities and had not allowed linguistic differences or trade union issues to obstruct development. Referring to reports of linguistic tensions in neighbouring Maharashtra, he said that while “non-Marathi” people faced difficulties there, Gujarat had maintained a welcoming atmosphere.The minister also dismissed reports of migrant workers leaving Surat in large numbers, saying their departure should not be described as an “exodus”.He claimed that a “narrative” was being spread by certain people. As states such as Uttar Pradesh and Bihar develop, some workers may find better employment opportunities closer to their native places, he said.Meanwhile, the dispute between embroidery workers and employers continues to simmer. Workers have been demanding eight-hour shifts and paid weekly offs, while labour leaders have alleged that several embroidery unit owners are removing workers from their jobs for raising these demands in accordance with labour code provisions.Amid the unrest, the Textile Embroidery Jobwork Association of Surat (TEJAS) has convened a meeting on Saturday to discuss industry-related concerns and strengthen unity among its members in response to the workers’ demands.
