Powerloom workers stage demonstration in Sankarankoil, demanding wage hike

Demanding the implementation of wage hike, the powerloom workers staged a demonstration in Sankarankoil on Sunday, and cooked porridge as part of their protest.

In Tenkasi district, in and around the Sankarankoil region, more than 10,000 powerloom workers are employed in over 1,000 powerloom units. It is said although a 16% wage hike agreement was finalised in 2024, only 10% of the wage increase has been provided to the powerloom workers.

As the remaining 6% wage hike has not been implemented even after a year of announcement, workers have been staging various forms of demonstrations demanding the pending wage increase. Moreover, since November 19, the powerloom workers were on an indefinite strike. Even after negotiations held at the Revenue Divisional Office in Sankarankoil, no amicable resolution was reached and thus the workers protest continued.

Manikandan, district president, CITU Somasundaram, state secretary, powerloom workers union and other powerloom workers and CITU members were present at the protest.