Labor Protests and Detentions Occur in Surat Over Labor Code Implementation

Around 80 labor rights activists and textile embroidery workers were detained by police in Surat on October 1, 2026. The protest was held to seek the implementation of labor codes. Workers are demanding a paid weekly day off and an eight-hour workday, alleging they are currently paid the same amount for working 12-hour shifts.

The unrest originated in the textile embroidery sector of Surat, a major industrial area within Gujarat. The demands relate directly to labor standards and working conditions, which could affect the operational costs and supply chain stability of local textile businesses.