The Garment and Textile Workers’ Union will be organising a convention of garment workers on July 20 at 11 a.m. It aims at bringing workers together to address systemic wage discrimination, to push for transparent and timely wage revisions, and to demand a working environment free of harassment and coercion.

The decision to hold the convention has come in the wake of several concerns the workers of the garment sector were facing.

According to sources, around four lakh women in the State are employed in the garment industry, a sector that supplies products to major corporate brands across Europe and North America. Despite their role in a global supply chain, these workers are paid only the government-mandated minimum wages, the sources said.

Over the past 45 years, revisions to minimum wages in the sector have been marked by repeated delays and decisions that workers and unions describe as unjust.

Many women employed in this industry are main breadwinners of their households, and they support their families with the earnings, yet the wage structure remains stagnant and insufficient to meet the rising cost of living.

In addition to wage issues, workers report ongoing problems of workplace harassment, lack of safety, and exploitative practices, the sources said. However, these issues continue despite public attention and periodic interventions by labour rights organisations.

The event will be held at White Palace, opposite R.V. College on Mysore Road, Bengaluru. During the convention, a booklet titled ‘Suji daradondigina baduku’ will be released.