Date:29/05/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/05/29/stories/2006052910030100.htm

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Housing project for hosiery workers on

M. Gunasekaran

A DIFFERENT VENTURE: Construction of houses in progress at Kovilvazhi near Tirupur.- Photo: M. Balaji.

TIRUPUR: Three dozen construction workers are busy piling up red clay blocks sourced from Kannur in Kerala at Kovilvazhi on the outskirts of Tirupur. Not only the saffron coloured walls of the house but the concept too is first of its kind in the knitwear town. The houses are for poor hosiery workers and constructed by an export house.

The project, aimed at constructing 365 single-bed houses at a total cost of Rs.11 crore, is to help the poor workers lead a better lifestyle. The venture assumes significance in the background of pitiable living standards of migrant workers. Stallion Garments with a group turnover of Rs. 100 crore has conceived the project. Its managing director A.M. Karthikeyan says workers - right from helpers and tailors to office staff, need not pay any amount initially. The company will arrange loans for them and also give guarantee to the bank. All they need to do is to pay the monthly instalment, which comes to around Rs.1,800, slightly higher than their present rent.

In the first phase they are constructing 24 flats each with 500 sq ft space. The houses will be ready in next two months. "After getting the feedback from our workers we will construct other houses. The entire construction will be over in next six to eight months," he said.

Housing is the major problem confronting most of the migrant workers in Tirupur. "This is a humble attempt to attend to the problem. Shortage of workforce is an important problem for the industry while better housing and lack of basic amenities are issues for the workers. If fellow exporters come out with such proposals it would be a long-term solution for the town," he observes. On the three-and-a-half acre site, common facilities will also be established. Mr. Karthikeyan says there is no compulsion for the workers who get houses to stay with his firm. They are free to work in any company. But they should not sell the house or rent them out for at least five years.