Powerloom weavers welcome wage revision, seek further hike and extension

The Tamil Nadu Powerloom Weavers’ Associations’ Federation has welcomed the State government’s revision of weaving wages for dhotis and sarees produced under the free clothing scheme for Pongal, but sought a further increase in line with present production costs.
Federation secretary L.K.M. Suresh said the five-member committee constituted by the government on September 15 to fix weaving wages had received the federation’s demand for ₹24.48 for a dhoti and ₹56.42 for a saree.
The government subsequently issued an order on October 16 revising the weaving wage to ₹19.04 for a dhoti and ₹45.76 for a saree.
Mr. Suresh thanked Chief Minister M.K. Stalin and Handlooms and Textiles Minister for the revision.However, he said the revised wages were inadequate when compared with the current cost of production.
The federation hoped that the government would consider a further wage increase in the interest of powerloom weavers and their livelihoods. Mr. Suresh also sought a two-month extension of the production deadline.
He said weavers would not be able to achieve the production target by the end of December, and requested that the deadline be extended by two more months.