Weavers demand wage increase

Weavers in Salem, Tamilnadu have not had their wages revised since 1997.

Weavers in Salem, Tamilnadu have not had their wages revised since 1997.

On July 16, Weavers-cum-manufacturers of art silk yarn twister with their families took out a rally in the city urging the government to take necessary steps to make the buyers to implement the appropriate wages.

The weavers said that more than 10,000 workers had been engaged in silk manufacture in Salem and surroundings and they had been demanding higher wages from the traders. The traders continued to exploit the manufacturers, they pointed, even after an accord was reached with the traders in the presence of the government on May 27, 2010. According to the agreement, an increase in Rs 3 per KG of art silk yarn and Rs 2.50 a kg for polyester was promised. But the traders have not fulfilled the terms of the agreement.