Date:02/12/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/12/02/stories/2008120254530500.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Wage revision of handloom workers on the anvil

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government proposes to revise the minimum wages for handloom workers shortly, Labour Minister P.K. Gurudasan announced in the Assembly on Monday.

Replying to the discussion on the Kerala Handloom Workers Welfare Fund (Amendment) Bill, the Minister said that the wages of the handloom workers were very low now.

Loss of jobs

In view of the projection that there would be considerable loss of jobs in the textile sector because of the economic crisis, the government would take steps to protect jobs in the handloom sector.

Mr. Gurudasan said that the Central government’s policies had hit the handloom sector.

The Centre had lifted reservation for the sector. It also replaced the rebate scheme with a percentage based support, thus reducing the quantum of benefit.

He said that the State government was taking various steps to promote the sale of handlooms.