Tiruppur Powerloom Weavers to begin indefinite strike

Chennai

The Tiruppur District Job-Working Powerloom Weavers Association, representing 1.5 lakh members, has announced an indefinite strike starting on March 19, demanding a wage increase. The strike comes after days of protests urging textile manufacturers to revise wages in response to rising costs.

S.E. Boopathy, treasurer of the association, explained, “Expenses have risen sharply over the past three years, including power tariffs, building rents, powerloom spare parts, and workers' wages, which has led to our demand for a new wage hike.”

Tiruppur and Coimbatore districts, home to 2.5 lakh powerlooms, employ nearly 4 lakh workers and produce around 1.25 crore metres of fabric daily. Experts estimate the strike could result in losses of approximately ₹35 crore per day.

Powerloom wages have traditionally been revised every three years through negotiations between weavers, manufacturers, and district officials. In February 2022, both sides had agreed to a 15% wage hike, but manufacturers reportedly failed to implement the agreement.

The weavers are now divided into two factions: one demanding the implementation of the 2022 wage hike, and the other pushing for a new wage revision. The Tiruppur district administration is working to mediate and resolve the issue.

S. Prema, Assistant Commissioner of the Tamil Nadu Labour Department, confirmed efforts to bring both groups together, as a divided stance complicates negotiations. Given the wider economic impact, with 3 lakh people indirectly dependent on the industry, a swift resolution is essential to avoid further disruption.