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Thursday, Mar 20, 2008
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Online edition of India's National Newspaper Thursday, Mar 20, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
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Tamil Nadu
Silent looms : Powerloom weavers around Pallakavundanpalayam and Velliravali villages, near Vijayamangalam, are on strike demanding wage hike. PERUNDURAI: Life in Velliravali and neighbouring villages, near here, is not as industrious as it used to be. To be precise, things have almost come to nought in the last 45 days after powerlooms fell silent. Such a sedentary life is true of 32 neighbouring villages as well, where 2,500 families of small and marginal weavers weave more than half-a-dozen varieties of towels. They employ about 6,000 labourers. The weavers and the labourers they engage have gone on strike demanding wage hike. The weavers, who do the job of converting yarns into cloth, earn between Rs. 1.25 and 1.30 for a metre of towel. This has been the wage structure for the past three years. In January this year, just before the expiry of the three-year wage agreement, the weavers and labourers met their employers to negotiate a wage hike. The employers supply yarn, pay wages and also take back the woven towel. The weavers demanded between Rs. 1.75 and 1.80 for a metre, saying they had to pay more to labourers, who are in demand. The weavers have hitherto paid around Rs. 55 for men and Rs. 40 for women. The employers, however, refused to accept the proposal. To thrash out the issue, both the sides met at least five times. The settlement, however, was not reached. The stalemate continued. Meanwhile, the weavers resolved to remain united and stick to their demand. The unity did not last long. On March 7, a group of weavers struck a deal with the employers, settling for Rs. 1.55 a metre. This deal on the sly has virtually divided the weavers into two groups. The group of weavers, who demanded between Rs. 1.75 and 1.80 a metre, says they will not weave until their demands are met. The other group that struck the deal says they are ready to weave. And, the problem does not end here. The division has also assumed cast colour. The group that is ready to weave comprises from traditional weaving families. The others belong to the agrarian community. While the stalemate continues, the weavers of both the groups are left jobless. K. Gopal, a weaver, says their resources are dwindling and that they badly need to resume weaving. Panchayat president, Velliravali, V. A. Nagaraj, who is also a weaver, says weavers have started going to Tirupur and other places in search of employment. To sort out the issue, the warring groups met in the presence of Revenue Divisional Officer, Erode and Deputy Superintendent of Police, Perundurai, on March 17. There was no outcome, though. The officers have given time to the groups till March 31 to sort out the issue. Meanwhile, the silence of the looms appears loaded, as allegations of one group threatening the other are on the increase.
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