Weavers-cum-manufacturers of art silk yarn twister with their families took out a rally in the city on Friday urging the government to take necessary steps to make the buyers to implement the appropriate wages.
The weavers said that more than 10,000 had been engaged in silk manufacture in Salem and surroundings and they had been demanding higher wages from the traders.
After 1997, no wage increase had been given. The traders continued to exploit the manufacturers, it was pointed out.
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In addition to this, the agitators also pointed out that they reached an accord with the traders in the presence of the Agriculture Minister on May 27.
As per the accord, an increase of Rs. 3 per kilogram of art silk yarn and Rs. 2.50 for polyester in wages was agreed upon. But they have failed to honour the promise,” the agitators said.
Despite a series of agitations, no concerted effort was made to address their grievances, they claimed.
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Hence they asked the Minister and government to look into their grievances and help them to get better wages to save the industry and the weaving community.