Workers on strike in Tamil Nadu: 2,000 power looms fall silent

For the second day in succession on Wednesday, 2,000 power looms at Anthiyur, Thavittupalayam and its surrounding areas were closed due to a strike by around 4,000 power loom workers, which has caused a loss of Rs 2 crore, an official said.
Secretary of the Power Loom Workers Association of Anthiyur Simbu Malaisamy said production of towels, lungis and other materials worth Rs 2 crore had been affected as 4,000-odd workers had now been jobless for the second day.
There has been no wage revision for power loom workers for the past one decade, he said. Now that the cost of living has increased several fold, the present wages are insufficient for meeting the needs of their families, and so the workers demanded a 20 per cent hike in wages, he added.
Two rounds of negotiatory talks have been held unsuccessfully.