Tamil Nadu   

Hard times ahead for silk industry

KANCHEEPURAM: The famed Kancheepuram handloom silk industry is in for hard times with other industrial units in the district wooing away weavers by dangling the prospect of an assured monthly income.

Enquiries reveal that many youngsters of the weaving community have settled for jobs in newly established industrial units in the Sriperumpudur taluk. The salaries are not so attractive, but these unskilled youth are content with the assured income every month to lead a dignified life.

“What more we need? Our youngsters are picked up and dropped back by the companies. Let them earn some money that will be sufficient at least to take care of themselves,” says a weaver, who learnt weaving from his forefathers and was witness to ups and downs of the handloom silk weaving industry.

Furthermore, the ‘dubious’ claims by some non-governmental organisations that the handloom weaving units exploited child labour was also a reason for the current state of affairs, says the weaver, seeking anonymity.

This change in mindset of seasoned weavers has set the alarm bells ringing, explains Muthukumar, general secretary, Handloom Weaving Federation (affiliated to the CITU)

Holding private silk sari makers and State and Central Governments responsible, Mr. Muthukumar argues that while a steep increase in the unit price of silk thread and ‘zari’ has affected several cooperative societies, meagre weaving charges held out by the private players have made the life miserable for several weaving families.

None can salvage the handloom silk industry from the manpower crisis unless sufficient monthly income is not ensured.

The Kanchipuram Handloom Silk and Lace Sari Manufacturers Association has revised the charges to be paid to weavers engaged by manufacturers, says president Y.M.Narayanasamy. A weaver WILL get Rs.500 a piece for double side ‘korvai’ saris, Rs.300 for one-side ‘korvai’ variety and Rs.200 for an ordinary sari.

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