Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Surat Textile Workers Protest Over Continued 12-Hour Shifts
Hundreds of textile workers in Surat protested at a government office.
They want to work eight hours a day instead of longer shifts.
They also want Sundays to be weekly holidays.
The workers had returned to work after owners promised to consider their demands.
They said the promises had not yet led to changes.
They claimed they were still working for more than eight hours without breaks.
The protest became tense after one worker accused police of taking photographs and making threats.
A senior police officer warned that a police case could be filed if protesters did not follow his instructions.
Hundreds of textile workers protested at the district collector’s office on Saturday.
They demanded eight-hour shifts and weekly Sundays off.
Workers said they resumed work after owners promised to address their demands.
They alleged they were still working more than eight hours without breaks.
Police intervention followed allegations of photographs and threats during the demonstration.
- Who
- Hundreds of textile workers, embroidery-unit owners, and police, including Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajdeepsinh Nakum.
- What
- Textile workers protested over continued long working hours and the lack of weekly Sunday holidays.
- When
- Saturday, several weeks after an earlier street protest.
- Where
- The district collector’s office in Surat.
- Why
- Workers said their demands for eight-hour shifts and Sundays off had not been implemented despite assurances from unit owners.
Workers’ Position
Owners’ and Police Response
Working hours
Workers’ Position
Workers said they were still working more than eight hours a day without breaks and demanded eight-hour shifts.
Owners’ and Police Response
Owners had assured workers that their demands would be met, but the articles do not report that the requested changes had been implemented.
Handling the demonstration
Workers’ Position
A worker alleged that police were taking photographs and issuing threats during the protest.
Owners’ and Police Response
Deputy Commissioner of Police Rajdeepsinh Nakum intervened and warned that an FIR would be registered if protesters did not follow his instructions.
- Protesters
- Hundreds of textile workers
- Main demands
- Eight-hour shifts and weekly Sundays off
- Workplace concern
- Workers said they were still working more than eight hours without breaks
- Previous assurance
- Owners of embroidery units had assured workers that their demands would be met
- Protest location
- District collector’s office in Surat
- Police official
- Deputy Commissioner of Police (Special Operations Group) Rajdeepsinh Nakum
- Police warning
- Nakum warned that an FIR would be registered if protesters did not follow his instructions