Powerloom associations seek higher wages for Pongal dhoti, saree production

The Tamil Nadu Federation of Powerloom Associations has sought an increase in wages for the production of dhotis and saris manufactured under the State Government’s free dhoti and saree distribution scheme for Pongal.

In a representation submitted to the five-member committee, constituted by the Handlooms Department, to examine the demand for wage revision, the federation said the objective of the scheme was not only to distribute dhotis and saris to the public during Pongal but also to provide employment and livelihood support to powerloom weavers.

The government had ordered the production of 1.77 crore dhotis and saris through handlooms and powerlooms attached to cooperative societies, the federation said. It pointed out that the length of the dhoti had been reduced from 3.75 metres last year to two metres this year. This had increased the work involved in tying the kuri while reducing production, it said. Changes had also been made to the reed, pick and width specifications. A powerloom could produce only eight to nine two-metre dhotis in a shift, or 16 to 18 a day, the federation said.

Citing increased electricity charges, godown rent, spare-parts costs and wages, the federation sought a wage of 18 paise per pick, amounting to ₹24.48 per dhoti. In the case of saris, the federation said the border had been changed from coloured yarn last year to a jarigai border this year. As the jarigai leaf frequently broke during weaving and had to be rejoined, production costs had increased. It sought a wage of 16 paise per pick, or ₹56.32 per saree.

The demand was adopted at an emergency meeting of the federation held recently after the State Government constituted the five-member committee to seek views on wage revision. The federation, comprising the Erode, Chithode, Lakkapuram and Veerappanchatram Powerloom Owners’ Associations, urged the committee to consider its demand. The representation was submitted to the committee at the office of the Assistant Director of Handlooms in Erode on Tuesday (September 15, 2026).