Sun Apr 20 16:06:13 UTC 2025: **Coimbatore Powerloom Strike Ends After Wage Hike Agreement**
COIMBATORE, INDIA (April 20, 2025) – Over 125,000 powerlooms in Coimbatore and Tiruppur districts have resumed operations after a three-week strike, following a wage increase agreement. The strike, which began March 19th, involved powerloom unit owners demanding a wage hike for workers, citing increased input costs since the 2014 wage agreement.
Negotiations between ministers K. Senthilbalaji and MP Saminathan, master weavers, and powerloom unit owners concluded Sunday evening. Master weavers agreed to a 15% wage increase for Somanur variety fabrics and a 10% increase for other varieties, based on the 2022 wage agreement. The strike, which also included an indefinite fast by weavers since Tuesday, resulted in an estimated ₹1,000 crore (approximately $121 million USD) in production losses, according to E.M. Bhoopathi, president of the Coimbatore Tiruppur District Job Working Powerloom Weavers Association.
First Piper 