In Thoothukudi, nearly 1,000 individuals participated in a protest on Friday morning, highlighting the escalating unemployment crisis in the region due to the shutdown of several key industries, including the Sterlite plant. The Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC), which organized the demonstration, issued a statement indicating that the closure of the port, textile mills, thermal power plants, Food Corporation of India warehouses, salt pans, and various small and large enterprises has led to significant job losses.
The protest featured speeches from INTUC leader P. Kathirvel and Thiyagarajan from the Thoothukudi Contractors Association. According to their statements, the district has not experienced any economic advancement; instead, conditions have worsened, with many individuals finding new jobs that offer much lower pay than before. Families are increasingly relocating in search of employment opportunities, often resulting in separations as men leave the area to find work. The local business landscape has also suffered, with many establishments closing due to a lack of industries able to provide them with work.
The shutdown of the Sterlite plant has particularly impacted local truck owners, forcing many to sell their vehicles because they can no longer meet loan payments. This closure has displaced over 1,500 workers directly and disrupted the livelihoods of approximately 40,000 people who relied on the plant in various capacities. Additionally, the suspension of other industries has left nearly one million daily wage laborers without work.
INTUC highlighted that the closure of the Sterlite facility has severely hampered Thoothukudi’s previously flourishing economy. They argued that addressing past grievances and reopening the plant could create job opportunities for around 3,000 truck drivers involved in transporting raw materials and over 4,000 daily wage workers in material handling, as well as generating new roles for port employees.
The decision to close the Sterlite plant stemmed from local opposition, competition, and disputes, with many residents perceiving it as an unfair outcome. The closure has had a domino effect on over 400 downstream industries that depend on the plant for their recovery.
The INTUC called for government accountability in revitalizing local industries and urged the Tamil Nadu government to consider reopening the Sterlite plant to alleviate the current employment crisis in the area.
