Silk saree weavers of Kancheepuram to go on strike seeking withdrawal of order to pay wages into bank accounts

Kancheepuram silk weavers threaten strike over mandatory bank deposits, citing inconvenience for elderly members and traditional payment practices.

Around 7,000 weavers of silk sarees in Kancheepuram attached to cooperative societies have threatened to go on indefinite strike if the order to deposit their wages in their bank accounts is not rescinded. They will stage a protest on Monday and continue it if the order that they have objected to thrice already is not withdrawn.

K. Krishnamoorthy, assistant secretary of the K. S. Parthasarathy Silk Weavers Association, which is leading the protest, said that the weavers were like daily wage labourers and earned their wages after they finished each saree. “From each bundle or paavu of silk, we can make three sarees, and the wage is split into three and paid once a week or in ten days. The respective society will not be able to transfer cash each time we hand in the sarees and we will have to wait till more members hand over the sarees that they have woven,” he said. 

Association president J. Kamalanathan said that many of their members were aged and did not know to use ATM cards or even operate bank accounts without help. “These people stay by themselves and continue to weave despite their advanced age. They weave simple sarees without much zari. Since 2014 when the order was first passed our members have only found this system to be uncomfortable. We would have to wait for the money if the account is settled in the weekend. Not many youngsters are in this trade now due to poor wages and the influx of mill-made sarees from other places. We do not mind if one-time doles like bonuses are paid into bank accounts,” he explained.