Date:10/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/10/stories/2004081001781901.htm

Back Madurai handloom workers' plea

Our Correspondent

MADURAI: THE Madurai District Handloom Workers' Association has sought a bailout package for handloom workers, as they neither get enhanced wages nor Government benefits.

According to Ms Palanimmal and Mr S. Murugesan, President and Secretary of the Association, respectively, the workers of the industry are very poor and languished for want of better wages. They could not even enjoy the benefits of the scheme of the Welfare Board for the unorganised sector. Petitions to the Government had not evoked any response, they said.

They urged the Government to announce the minimum wages for workers as the earlier announcement was made in 2000. Liberal subsidy should be given to the industry or a mechanism must be evolved to protect the industry.