In spite of the Union Government’s U-turn on Wednesday on the Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) issue, several Bengaluru-based garment factories remained closed on Wednesday. The government has for three months now, put the notification in this regard on hold.
According to the industry, the situation is expected to return to normal only by Friday, because till Thursday, CrPC Section 144 will be in force, with no factory owner taking the risk to raise the shutters. “We don’t want to take any risk. So despite work getting hampered, we prefer to keep our factory closed like most others,” confirmed a Sr HR manager of one of the top export houses in Bengaluru.
On Monday and Tuesday (April 18 and 19), thousands of employees of various garment factories hit the streets of Bengaluru against the government’s decision on EPF. A few buses have been set on fire at Jalahalli Cross, while stone pelting continued at Goraguntepalya.
Thousands of workers in Hebbugodi vandalised the Hebbagodi police station, while police laticharged the workers in Bommasandra, Bannerghatta Road and Sirsi Circle. The agitations led to traffic jams and diversions across the city.
Media report claimed that the agitating workers were mainly from Shahi Exports, K Mohan and Co Exports and Jockey.
Several factories remained closed in Peenya and Rajagopalanagar, Yeshwanthpur and Gorguntepalya. A few garment workers were also injured during these demonstrations.
Bengalore, the third largest apparel exporting hub of India, after Delhi-NCR and Mumbai, is home to almost 2,000 garment factories employing around five lakh people, 85 per cent of them being women.
Also Read – TEA reiterates demand for withdrawal of amendment in EPFO Scheme
According to the new amendments, employees will be able to withdraw only their contribution to their provident fund accounts. They will be able to withdraw the employer’s contribution only after completing 58 years. However, this has now been put on hold.
On the amendments, the workers’ union has remarked that this is an “anti-worker” move. “The main contention is that many workers of the unorganised sectors are not sure of remaining employed till 58 years of age. Workers, who are over 40 years, are unsure, as they may not be able to find suitable jobs. Nobody works in the apparel industry till they turn 58. In many factories, the management ensures that workers quit before they complete five years to deny them gratuity,” a union member said, adding that there are many cases of factories not paying their share of the PF for years together.
Also Read – Government stipulates more money for PROVIDENT FUND
Bharat Tex Special Report 2026 
