Powerloom weavers have asked the state government of Tamil Nadu to pass a resolution in the legislative assembly urging the national government to create legislation for their sector similar to The Handloom (Reservation of Articles for Production Act) of 1985.

This act prevents other sectors from producing goods made by handlooms. The Tamil Nadu Federation of Powerloom Associations has sent a letter to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin requesting this action.

B. Kandavel, Joint Coordinator of the federation, states, the powerloom industry is the second-largest employer in India, following agriculture. There are approximately 2.5 million powerlooms across India, with about 540,000 operating in Tamil Nadu alone. Over one million workers, primarily women from rural areas, directly and indirectly depend on this industry for their livelihood.

He further explains, over the past 20 years, there has been a growing influx of imported, used automatic looms from countries like China. Instead of producing high-value textiles, these automatic looms are producing fabrics that traditionally come from power looms. This has led to a decline in the powerloom industry, forcing many units to close. Currently, about 30 per cent of power loom units in Tamil Nadu are shut down due to a lack of work, severely impacting workers' livelihoods.

Kandavel emphasizes, both the central and state governments need to take steps to protect the powerloom industry. The government should allocate specific textile varieties for powerlooms by introducing a separate legislation for powerlooms, as textile varieties are already allocated for handlooms.