The production in over 40,000 power looms in different parts of Erode district resumed on Monday as the owners of the units called off their strike.
Powerloom owners in Veerappan Chatram and a few other parts in the district went on an indefinite on April 26 protesting against the raising cotton yarn prices and unannounced power cuts.
A large number of weavers who depend on the powerloom sector for their income were rendered jobless following the strike.
The weaving sector, the second largest employer in the district, was severely affected due to the sharp increase in the cotton yarn prices.
The units were not able to accept new orders as the prices of the yarn continued to rise despite the Government announcing various measures, including the removal of incentive given for cotton yarn exports.
There was an increase of 50 per cent to 60 per cent in the cotton yarn prices since last year.
What added to their woes were the unannounced power cuts.
Instead of the three-hour load shedding the district experiences power cuts from five to six hours in a day.
As many weavers were rendered jobless, their families found it very hard to cope with the situation.
“We have decided to call off the strike considering the difficulties faced by the families of the weavers,” Veerappan Chatram Power Loom Owners Association Secretary M. Annathurai said.
