Once hailed as the 'Manchester of Kerala,' Kannur's handloom industry is now crippled by unpaid wages, rising costs, and the dominance of power looms. As workers flee the profession, the sector faces an existential crisis.
Key Takeaways
- Kannur's handloom sector is facing severe financial distress due to delayed wages.
- The workforce has plummeted from nearly 30,000 to just 18,000 weavers.
- Government school uniform schemes have become a financial burden due to payment arrears.
- Competition from high-speed power looms is making traditional weaving unviable.
KANNUR, KERALA: On National Handloom Day, the silence in the weaving sheds of Kannur serves as a grim reminder of a fading legacy. Once celebrated as the 'Manchester of Kerala,' the district's handloom industry is currently battling a multi-front war against delayed wages, mounting losses, and a dwindling workforce.
Systemic Failures and Financial Distress
Industry leaders argue that the crisis is not due to a lack of demand for handloom, but a systemic failure to support the artisans. T.V. Santhosh, a key official in the Kerala State Weaver Society Association, highlighted that the government’s school uniform scheme—intended to provide stability—has instead become a massive liability. In Kannur alone, societies are owed approximately ₹8.5 crore in wages, with 3,000 workers waiting over eight months for their pay.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that the mismatch between rising production costs and outdated government procurement rates is draining the lifeblood of cooperative societies. While dearness allowances have risen, the government continues to procure uniforms at 2019 price points, forcing societies to absorb the loss.
Workers cannot survive without timely income; many have already left the profession because they cannot wait indefinitely.
The Shrinking Workforce and Cooperative Decline:
The statistics paint a desperate picture of the industry's contraction. Kerala's handloom workforce has shrunk from a peak of 30,000 to roughly 18,000. Similarly, the number of cooperative societies across the state has dropped from 600 to 450, leaving traditional weavers without a safety net.
| Metric | Handloom | Powerloom |
|---|---|---|
| Daily Production | 6-7 Meters | 35-40 Meters |
| Market Focus | Premium/Artisanal | Mass Market/Export |
| Cost Efficiency | Low | High |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why are weavers leaving the profession in Kannur?
The primary reasons include irregular wage payments, the rising cost of raw materials like cotton and linen, and the inability to compete with the speed of power looms.
2. Can the handloom sector be saved?
Experts suggest repositioning handloom as a 'premium craft' rather than a mass-production tool to tap into high-end global markets.
