Future uncertain for Avadi OCF employees

The Centre is also mulling to source the products from private players.

The employees, including several women, told DTNext that their livelihood would be affected if the unit was shut down. They also added that they would seek the support of the trade unions if the Centre doesn’t abandon the decision that is detrimental to them. The OCF has 2,115 employees, including 811 women. 

The unit was established at Avadi in 1961 during the Indo-China war, which culminated in 1962. The then Central government felt the need to set up five such units across the country, as the soldiers felt ill-prepared for the inclement weather at the Indo-China border.  

These units manufacture army uniforms in accordance with the weather condi tions in the country’s Line of Control (LoC). V Veluswamy, an employee and president of Thozhilalar Munnetra Kazgagam said, “Even though the Centre has not officially announced to close the unit, the employees started feeling a sense of fear about their jobs.”

OCF, Avadi also manufactures army uniforms for United Nations peacekeeping force, which was acclaimed by other countries, Velusamy said, and added that they have met various political leaders to press the Centre to stop the move. There is an indication that the  Centre might take the decision to shut it by the end of March, because it has not yet sanctioned funds for manufacturing uniforms for the forthcoming years as has been done in the past. 

If the unit was shut, employees would also be shifted to defence-related industries in different states, he added. Women employees are particularly  apprehensive that they might be shifted to other states. A Isabella, an employee of OCF, said, “Many women employees in the unit are afraid. For women, transfer to other states is not easy. 

As we have a woman as the defence minister, she should sense how we will suffer due to transfer.” H Raja, National Secretary of BJP told DTNext , “The Centre has not officially announced the decision. However, I will look into the matter.”