| Date: |
10-10-2015 |
| Subject: |
Diwali holidays for powerloom weavers from Dusshera likely |
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SURAT: With the powerloom sector witnessing slowdown due to decline in demand, Diwali vacation for the weavers is likely to begin early, starting Dusshera.
The sector is going through recession as demand for grey or unfinished cloth has gone down in the domestic and international markets. This has also forced many powerloom weavers to drastically reduce the production. Moreover, the traders are also worried over pending payments.
Sources said that the weaving units in Kapodara, Ved Road, Diamondnagar, Pipodara, Sayan, Anjana and Dumbhal are expected to close shops from October 25 and reopen on December 1.
In the last fortnight, many Bihari textile workers have left for their hometowns to exercise their franchise during Bihar Assembly elections and to spend time with their family during the Navratri and Diwali festivals.
President of Katargam-Ved Road Weavers Association (KVWA), Devesh Patel, said, "There is no official announcement for the long Diwali vacation. But, certainly powerloom sector is in crisis due to recession and payment issues. Many Bihari workers have gone home and are likely to return by the end of November."
Patel added, "Export of polyester fabrics has been reduced to just 30-40 per cent of normal exports in the last two months. The exporters are not willing to place fresh orders to due feeble demand in the international market."
The city has around 6.5 lakh powerloom machines weaving some three crore meters of fabric every day. The sector employs over six lakh workers, mostly migrant workers from Bihar, Orrisa, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra.
President of Federation of Gujarat Weavers Association (FOGWA), Ashok Jirawala was of a different view. "The recent strike by transporters has further deteriorated the market conditions. The domestic demand is picking up, but the supply of fabrics has been affected. Traders do not want to purchase fresh grey fabric stock and thus the weavers are left with little or no work," he added.
Source : timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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