If you thought that attrition rates were high only in the IT and ITeS sector, think again. Textile exporters of Tirupur also face the same problem.
With textile exports from Tirupur touching $1 billion (Rs 4,500 crore), attritions hit the exporters hard, especially when they have to meet tough deadlines.
With export orders having to be delivered on time, Tirupur textile exporters say that manpower is vital to meet the deadline.
A worker with a minimum educational qualification (of tenth standard) and three years' experience as a tailor earns over Rs 5,000. Swaminathan, owner of a small exporting unit, says that there is so much demand for experienced workers that if he quits one job he will get a higher salaried employment in another exporting unit.
K A S Thiermurthi, managing director of Stallion Garments, says that this phenomenon is witnessed only during the peak season. All the big textile exporters offer same wages across the board.
A few years ago, the workers would think twice before quitting a job as the opportunity available for another job was limited. However, now if a person quits an exporting unit he can find a job the next day itself with another exporting unit.
What is remarkable in terms of Tirupur is that there is no other manufacturing industry other than textile exporting units and dyeing units. Besides the textile exporting units, one only notices public call booths at frequent intervals.
When asked as to why there are no other manufacturing industries in Tirupur, A Sakthivel, chairman of Apparel Export Promotion Council says that the earnings and employment generated by textiles is high which keeps the people of Tirupur focused and satisfied. Most of the textile exporters also reiterate the same reasoning.
What software exports have done to Bangalore, is similar to what textile exports have done to Tirupur. While Bangalore leads in software exports, Tirupur's the hub of knitwear exports is the largest foreign exchange earner for textile exports.
The employment creation of information technology and information technology enabled services has given a cosmopolitan shade to Bangalore.
It is overwhelming to note that Tirupur, only a small town in Tamil Nadu, employs over 250,000 people directly and indirectly in towns like Trichy, Erode, Karur and Salem.
On the negative front also, Tirupur and Bangalore share common infrastructure difficulties, particularly relating to poor roadways and frequent power cut.
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