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Bengal Silk Weavers' Exodus: Youth Flee Low Wages Despite Rising Sales

Silk weavers in West Bengal's Murshidabad district are facing a crisis as low wages drive the younger generation away from the traditional family business, despite an increase in silk garment sales. Industry members and retailers are calling for the next government, formed after the upcoming Assembly elections, to focus on the sector with better budget allocation and support. They highlight that while costs for materials and skilled labor have risen, wages for weavers and spinners remain discouragingly low. This exodus of youth threatens the survival of the region's historic hand-weaving and silk production craft.

Key Points: West Bengal Silk Industry Crisis: Youth Leave Over Low Wages

  • Silk sales have improved
  • Youth leaving due to low wages
  • Call for post-election government support
  • Rising costs of raw materials
  • Production concentrated in Murshidabad
2 min read

West Bengal: Low wages drive youth away from traditional silk production despite sales

Despite growing sales, low wages in West Bengal's traditional silk production are driving the youth away, threatening the craft's future.

"The new generation is not interested in this profession because the wages are very low. - Abhinash Ganai"

Murshidabad, March 31

The silk weavers in West Bengal have been facing shrink of traditional family businesses as wages have remained very low in recent years despite the growing sales of silk garments, discouraging the youth from taking up the job opportunities in the production.

Dwarka Tantipara Khadi Sanstha member Abhinash Ganai flagged his concerns, saying, "Sales (of silk garments) have improved significantly compared to the past. The current government offers a great deal of support and various facilities. However, the new generation is not interested in this profession because the wages are very low. Whoever forms the government after the elections, they should do something for silk weavers and spinners, because they get low wages, because of which they don't want to work."

Speaking to ANI, Anindya Choudhury, a retailer of silk garments, said that due to the low wages, the young generation is moving elsewhere for work. He urged that the government which will be formed after the Assembly elections must pay close attention towards the upliftment of the silk industry with adequate budget allocation and resources, essentially in the production stages.

"The price of silk has increased significantly compared to the past. Therefore, regardless of which government comes to power following this election, our primary expectation is that, moving forward, they should pay closer attention to the silk industry, specifically concerning the younger generation. The youth are currently not showing much engagement in the traditional craft of hand-weaving and silk production; instead, an increasing number of them are migrating elsewhere to seek employment. This situation poses certain difficulties for us as well. For skilled workers, wage rates have risen somewhat, as have the overall costs of raw materials, specifically the yarn used in production... We hope that the government will pay closer attention to the silk industry in Murshidabad, specifically in the various pockets where production takes place. If the government were to focus its efforts and allocate appropriate budgetary resources to this sector, this industry could thrive once again," he said.

The polling for the 294-member Assembly in West Bengal will take place in two phases on April 23 and April 29, while counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

A
Arjun K
Completely understand the youth. Why would they work for peanuts when they can earn better in cities or even in other skilled trades? The article says sales are up, so where is that money going? Not to the weavers, clearly. The middlemen and retailers must be profiting.
R
Rohit P
Murshidabad silk is world famous! 🧵 It's a shame. The government needs to step in with proper minimum wage laws for this sector and maybe even subsidies. We can't let such heritage die just because it's not "profitable" for the workers.
S
Sarah B
While I agree support is needed, we also have to be realistic. The younger generation globally seeks different opportunities. Perhaps the solution isn't just higher wages, but also modernizing the trade, adding design innovation, and better marketing to increase value.
V
Vikram M
This is a wake-up call before elections. Every party talks about protecting culture, but where is the action? Weavers are artists. They deserve respect and a livelihood that doesn't force their children to abandon the family craft. Hope the new govt listens.
K
Kavya N
My mother still buys Murshidabad silk sarees for every special occasion. The quality is unmatched. But if there are no skilled weavers left, what will happen? We, as consumers, might also need to be willing to pay a fair price to support the artisans directly.

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