The first batch of stranded handloom weavers left Churachandpur for Myanmar on Thursday morning. Altogether, 36 persons including women and children departed from Tuibong COVID-19 transit centre on two Sumo Jeep and three Eco Vans, after getting due permission from the authority.
Many skilled handloom weavers working in Churachandpur had to leave due to lockdown as the market for finished goods/shawl is no longer available. The rise in price of yarn, which was said to sell for Rs 6,000 a piece, was also another factor.
In fact, many finished shawls remain unsold as there are no buyers due to lockdown. The Myanmarese skilled workers had been without work for the past three month and wanted to go home but needed permission and transportation.
There are more than 100 families who have been employed to work in a handloom factory at different places as they are skilled workers. This makes business profitable for their employers and a good profession for them but due to the lock down, the workers were without work. They were said to be helped by philanthropic organisations like the YMA for the past months.
