Garment workers block Hubballi-Dharwad road over new PF withdrawal rules

Hundreds of women employees of Shahi Export Garments staged a protest blocking the Hubballi-Dharwad road on Thursday. | Photo credit: KIRAN BAKALE

A large number of women employees of Shahi Export Garments in Rayapur on Thursday blocked the Hubballi-Dharwad road protesting the waiting periods for withdrawal of Provident Fund (PF) and Employee Pension Scheme (EPS) savings.

The protest, which began around 9:30 am, brought traffic between Hubballi and Dharwad to a standstill for several hours. The workers, who sat on the road and raised slogans, said they would continue their agitation until their demands were resolved.

Vidyagiri police and labor department officials tried to convince the protesters to clear the road. However, the workers remained at the spot until Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase and another Deputy Commissioner Geeta CD arrived and discussed with them.

Officials assured the workers that their concerns would be conveyed to the Union government through a proposal. After being assured, the workers called off the protest at around 2pm and returned to work.

The protesters said they were against the provisions that would make employees who quit their jobs wait a year to access the remaining 25% of their PF savings. They also said that workers with less than 10 years of service will have to wait three years to withdraw their accumulated EPS amount.

The Garment and Textile Workers Union (GATWU) submitted a memorandum to the Additional Central Provident Fund Commissioner demanding the abolition of waiting periods.

According to the unions, the restrictions would mainly affect low-income workers in the clothing industry. It said women constitute 85-90% of the state’s garment workforce and that many workers depend on their PF savings to meet expenses arising from medical emergencies, children’s education, rent, marriage and other family needs.

Unions described the waiting periods as limiting workers’ access to their savings and demanded their immediate abolition.

During the protest, workers including Ratna Umachigi, Neelamma Chavarad, Radhika Sureban, Kusuma Madiwalar, Bharati Gollar and Shabina explained their concerns to the officials.

Published – 01 Oct 2026 20:43 IST