Kerala Tailoring Workers Forum Urges Government Action on Workers’ Crisis

Kochi, May 25, 2026: The Kerala Tailoring Workers Forum (KTWF) has urged the government to take immediate steps to address the growing crisis faced by tailoring workers, citing anti-labour policies and increasing monopolisation in the garment manufacturing sector as major concerns.

The demand emerged during the KTWF State Conference held at Ernakulam Town Hall on Sunday.

The conference was inaugurated by Hibi Eden, while KTWF State President Babu Thannikkode chaired the event.

Speakers at the conference raised concerns over the challenges confronting tailoring workers and called for stronger welfare measures and policy support for the sector. Among those who addressed the gathering were Bishop Sylvester Ponnumuthan, Bishop Jose Porunnedom and T. J. Vinod, along with other labour and community leaders.

The conference adopted a resolution seeking several measures to improve the welfare of tailoring workers across the state. It urged the Tailoring Workers Welfare Fund Board to introduce special programmes to strengthen workers’ professional skills and to increase welfare and retirement benefits in line with present-day needs.

Delegates also called for a review of the discontinued service pension scheme and demanded that merit scholarships be extended to all eligible children of members.

The forum further sought an expansion of marriage assistance benefits, which are currently available only for daughters, to include sons of members as well. It also requested posthumous financial assistance for pension members with the support of existing members.

Earlier, former Tailoring Workers Welfare Fund Board Chairperson Elizabeth Assisi delivered a keynote address. The conference also honoured ten outstanding tailoring workers from across Kerala for their contribution to the profession.

KTWF said stronger intervention and policy measures are necessary to safeguard the livelihoods and welfare of tailoring workers amid changing conditions in the industry.

By Jude Joseph, KRLCC

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