Embroidery workers across Surat textile units are threatening to go on a protest march on November 1 unless their long-pending demands regarding working hours, overtime wages and weekly offs are met.

Since a demonstration on the streets on August 16 by workers at a unit in Amroli area of Surat , the demand has been simmering. That demonstration had turned violent and spread gradually over the next month to other units and workers across the city, which is the hub of the synthetic textiles industry. Police investigations had later found discontent brewing on WhatsApp groups and social media.

Three FIRs were lodged following the August incidents and 26 people detained on charges of rioting, among others. The factories restarted only after police deployment.

The workers are demanding what was promised to them under a law passed by Gujarat last year, after amending the Factories Act 1948.…