This case study, mapped for Employee Safety in HRM course, is structured around women employees of Tamil Nadu’s garment industry and textile mills. Tirupur-Coimbatore-Erode-Salem districts together formed a thriving textile hub and while business grew in these districts, the allegations – ranging from exploitation to apathy – have also been on rise. These four districts employ more than 500,000 women workforce and have been facing severe criticisms for their non-compliance of laws, especially related to women safety at their workplaces. With the new amendment proposed to Factories Act 1948, allowing the companies to employ women during night shifts, with Madras High Court’s guidelines (in circa 2000; R.Vasantha), will it be a bane or boon for women workers in these four districts? Would the exploitation stop or would it increase?

1. WOMEN EMPLOYEES IN TAMIL NADU
FACTORIES: LAWFUL INTENTIONS VS UNLAWFUL
PRETENTIONS
This case study, mapped for Employee Safety in HRM course, is structured around women
employees of Tamil Nadu’s garment industry and textile mills. Tirupur-Coimbatore-Erode-
Salem districts together formed a thriving textile hub and while business grew in these districts,
the allegations – ranging from exploitation to apathy – have also been on rise. These four
districts employ more than 500,000 women workforce and have been facing severe criticisms
for their non-compliance of laws, especially related to women safety at their workplaces. With
the new amendment proposed to Factories Act 1948, allowing the companies to employ women
during night shifts, with Madras High Court’s guidelines (in circa 2000; R.Vasantha), will it be
a bane or boon for women workers in these four districts? Would the exploitation stop or
would it increase?
Pedagogical Objectives
• To have an overview of slew of Laws and Acts prevalent in India to safeguard women’s
rights and dignity at workplace, taking cognizance of article 15(3) of the Indian Constitution
• To examine the current state of women worker’s health and safety record at Tamil Nadu’s
garment industry/textile mills in the light of several related laws
• To discuss and debate on the proposed amendment to Factories Act 1948 with reference
to women working during night shifts and its effect on textile mills’ women workers
Positioning/Setting of the Case Study
This case study can be used for either of the following modules/topics in the Human Resource
Management Course:
• Occupational Health and Safety Laws in India –To understand the labor/factory laws and
acts in India
• Safety and Security of Employees –To be aware of the prerequisites for companies to have
a crime prevention plan and other security programs
• Workplace Health Hazards and Accidents – To understand the need for hygiene and the
cause of accidents at workplace and the remedies
ABSTRACT
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