Workers in Surat's embroidery and textile units have been pressing since 16 August 2026 for an 8-hour working day, a paid weekly holiday and compliance with labour laws. The agitation started in embroidery units in Amroli and later spread to other industrial areas of the city. Workers' unions say these are rights already provided by law, and that many workers still do 12-hour shifts.
Where talks stand
The Labour Department has held several rounds of meetings with unions and industry representatives without a settlement. In the last week of September, Surat's Deputy Labour Commissioner directed industry associations to comply with the new labour codes. Unions say little has changed on the ground. Industry representatives have argued that meeting all the demands at once would raise production costs.
The dispute turned tense in Amroli, where, following allegations of stone-pelting and forced closure of factories, police registered three FIRs and arrested eight people.
Workers leaving early for home
A campaign called "Gaon Chalo" has urged workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar to return to their villages if their demands are not met. Surat and Udhna railway stations have seen heavy crowds, and departures began earlier than the usual week before Diwali. Some reports put the number of workers leaving or threatening to leave as high as 10 lakh, but there is no official figure, and ground reports found that many travellers said they were simply going home for Diwali and Chhath.
District officials have put extra police, RPF and GRP staff, CCTV monitoring and passenger facilities in place at the stations.
Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh, who visited Surat on 9 October, urged mill owners and workers to see each other as one family, but did not announce any specific step on the dispute.