Photo courtesy of Auromode Apartments One of the Auromode apartments
In 1982, in a small hut in Auromodèle community, a new
garment unit was born, Auromodèle, employing three tailors and two helpers. In
later years it was renamed Auromode Atelier and in 1985 moved to Auroshilpam in
Auroville’s Industrial Zone. Over the years, it specialised in hand-painted
silk garments and became one of Auroville’s most successful commercial units,
employing over 240 people and ranking amongst the largest contributors to the
Auroville community.
But the global recession affected Auromode. The order
portfolio went down, the profits shrunk and downsizing and layoffs became
unavoidable. Some employees had been with Auromode for more than 30 years. “The
decision wasn’t easy as we knew that we were dramatically changing their
lives,” says André, one of Auromode’s executives. Also, high amounts of
severance pay would be due and Auromode’s financial reserves were insufficient.
“We carefull...
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