Weavers demand textile minister's resignation

Handloom wavers brought out a procession at Balla Bazar in Kalihati in Tangail on Thursday protesting galloping prices of yarn and dye. PHOTO: STAR

Several hundred loom owners, weavers and traders are staging demonstration brought out a procession and held a rally at Balla Bazar on Thusday protesting the galloping prices of yarn and dye.

Looms are falling silent one after another as prices of the inputs increased by about 20 t0 25 per cent in last four months while hat of produces remained virtually unchanged, causing losses, they said.

Speaker at the rally demanded resignation of Textile Minister Shahjahan Siraj and urged the government to reduce prices of yarn and dye to keep the industry alive. Shahjahan Siraj is a man from the area.

This correspondent while visiting the area recently gathered that there are about 25,000 handlooms in Kalihati upazila, which is highest concentration of looms in the district.

Talking to this correspondent, some weavers said price of one bale of Eco brand yarn of 82/1 count has increased to Tk 66,000 from Tk 54,000; Sayham brand to Tk 67,000 from Tk 56,000; Nahid brand to Tk. 63,000 from Tk 53,000 and Russel brand yarn to Tk 66,000 from Tk 54,000.

Prices of other raw materials including chemicals and Polestar are also increasing day by day, they said.

Mofakkharul Islam, president of handloom owners association in Balla, said prices of raw materials increase almost every week. "But we can not increase prices of sarees so often".

"Over 20 per cent handlooms in the area have already been closed. Wavers are selling their looms and leaving the profession", he said.

Mostofa Ashrafee, president of yarn traders association in Balla, they have to charge higher prices as mills increase prices.