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14 April 2020 Importance of the COVID-19 pandemic for textile workers in Bangalore

The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the GOI to impose a curfew, which entered into force on 23 March 2020, was originally intended to last until 14 April 2020 and was ultimately extended until 3 May 2020. The effects are drastic and also affect the textile workers in Bangalore's textile industry.

Without work in the city, most of them increasingly have to make their way back to their homeland, from which they had previously come to Bangalore due to lack of livelihood. According to Cividep, an estimated 300,000 textile workers will return to their families around Bangalore. However, another 100,000 have no way to leave Bangalore, as they either come from more distant parts of India – such as Orissa or eastern states – or have no other retreat than Bangalore.

The 100,000 textile workers who remain in Bangalore see themselves in a situation that threatens their very existence: they also have to pay without income for food, rent payments, hygiene products and more. The risk of exploitation and violence also increases enormously for them.

Our partner organisation Cividep in cooperation with Munnade and Garment Labour Union (GLU) Stand up for their support.

Background information on Bangalore's textile industry

With about 12 million people, Bangalore is India's third largest city in the state of Karnataka. Bangalore is also one of India's most important economic centres. IT, aerospace, but also the textile industry can be found here.

Bangalore's textile industry currently employs 400,000 people (as of 2020). Among them, most come from rural Karnataka, and about 30,000 from more distant states. The opportunity to work in the textile industry draws them all to Bangalore. However, it is mainly women from families without land ownership or with minor resources who can provide for themselves and their families through this work.