Non-implementation of wage hike demand has resulted into the looms at Balaramapuram and nearby villages to shut down since Saturday due to worker's strike.
The worker's demand to hike wages since last seven-eight years have been turned down by a section of handlooms owners.
This was a clear violation of agreement reached between handloom workers' unions and loom owners at Balaramapuram on January 1st to hike wages by 20 to 25 percent from January 15th.
Weaver of a double dhoti who works for about 12 hours, earns between Rs 30 to 60 per day. Experts in weaving wedding sarees get a decent wage of Rs250 per day, a worker informed.
Meagre pay offered has turned youngsters away from this profession whereas women and old men are exploited as this is the only skill they acquired after working for so many years, said Krishnankutty, a trade union activist working among the handloom workers.