The Hindu Business Line : Job-working powerloom units’ strike continues

Coimbatore, Aug. 10 The indefinite strike by the 16,000-odd job-working powerloom units in Coimbatore and Tirupur districts, in protest against ‘breach of wage agreement’, entered the sixth day on Monday.

“We have not placed any demand. We are only seeking restoration of job work charges from master weavers. We appeared before the Joint Commissioner of Labour on Friday and Monday , but the master weavers did not turn up. Government intervention alone will help resolve this issue,” Mr Kumaraswamy, President, Coimbatore District Power Loom Units Association, told Business Line.

The units, located in and around Palladam, Avinashi, Somanur and Karumathampatti areas, produce woven grey fabric and employ around 2 lakh workers directly. The per day production loss is estimated at Rs 15-20 crore.

According to Mr Kumaraswamy, master weavers had, citing economic recession and funds crunch, reduced the rate by 10 per cent since last month. “This is an unjustifiable decision. We are already in deep trouble, unable to expand or modernise our outdated looms. Our demand seeking funds for modernisation has gone to deaf ears,” he said.

The association is also asking the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board to withdraw the Rs 80-lakh fine imposed on the units for overdrawal of power.

Meanwhile, the Open End Spinning Mills Association has given an ultimatum to halt production in toto from August 12 citing accumulation of yarn following the indefinite strike resorted to by the job-working power loom units.

The association members from Vellakovil, Udumalpet, Rajapalayam, Salem, Erode and Coimbatore met today to announce their plan. The association is seeking an immediate ban on export of waste cotton and withdrawal of the 4 per cent VAT on waste cotton and textile products made from waste cotton.

More Stories on : Textiles | Trade & Labour Unions | Tamil Nadu

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