KOZHIKODE: Following the several complaints received from employees working in the textile sector, the Vigilance is set to intensify statewide raids on the textile shops. The recent raids conducted on three major textile shops in the city had brought to light the poor condition of employees, especially women working in this sector, who are even denied basic facilities.
The Fire and Safety officials, who were also part of the raid, pointed out that all the norms of fire and safety were flouted in these multi- storied buildings selling garments. The labour and health departments and local body officials also prepared a detailed report to be given to the state vigilance commissioner and other officials.
Deputy Superintendent Vigilance K. Ashwakumar said, “it was after the Vigilance department received more than 100 complaints from employees working in major textile centres in the state that a decision was made to inspect the working condition of employees”. The employees lack toilet facilities, resting place, and denied the right to work peacefully affecting their health. A detailed inspection will be conducted in the textile shops and quick action will be taken against erring centres, he said.
Mr Arun Basker, Fire and Rescue Services assistant divisional officer north zone, said, “the inspection has exposed the lack of safety standards in the mushrooming high-rise buildings in the city and the obsolete fire- fighting and rescue equipment with the Kerala Fire and Rescue Service.” These buildings did not have any fire safety equipment like pumps and three-phase electricity connection though they all had the NOC from the department, he added.
