Migrant workers, the lifeline of the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in Coimbatore and Tirupur, are on an extended holiday following Deepavali amid the crisis in the industrial sector. Though the workers being absent for a long time during this time of the year is nothing unusual, the workers who have left the textile hub of Tirupur for the festival are not likely to return anytime soon, and they are in wait and watch mode to see the aftermath of the prevailing crisis in the industrial sector. MSMEs across Tamil Nadu have announced an indefinite strike on December 18, demanding cuts in power tariffs. In view of the strike, the workers from North Indian states are reluctant to return, fearing the consequences of a halt in production. The ailing MSMEs have also announced a human chain protest across the state on December 4, demanding a reduction in hiked fixed charges and canceling out the peak hour consumption charges introduced for low-tension (LT) consumers.