Abstract:-

This study examines worker turnover patterns and their determinants for a leading Indian textile export firm using a comprehensive four-pronged methodological approach: discussions with management, interviews of current workers, analysis of administrative panel data of workers, and a survey of former workers. The findings reveal a high annual worker turnover rate of 92-94%, with 60-70% of workers leaving within six months. While there is no significant gender variation in turnover, the migrant turnover rate is more than double that of local workers. We identify distinct turnover drivers across worker groups: local and intra-state migrants cite physically demanding work and difficult working conditions. In contrast, inter-state migrants emphasise unmet monetary expectations and limited wage growth opportunities. The analysis reveals that over 40% of workers expected employment duration of one year or less, with three-quarters being unemployed when accepting the job. Job embeddedness appears low, with 68% of leavers expressing complete dissatisfaction with factory life, though migrant women positively view hostel life. Migrants’ embeddedness in the local community is low, with little opportunity to form a meaningful local network, and perhaps, therefore, family separation emerges as a significant concern for inter-state migrants, with about one-third citing it as their reason for leaving. The study also finds that about half of the surveyed former workers would consider returning to factory work, suggesting hasty exit decisions possibly based on misconceptions about alternative opportunities. These findings contribute to understanding turnover in low-skilled manufacturing sectors in developing countries and offer insights for developing targeted retention strategies for different worker segments.