Socio-Economic Vulnerabilities and Crisis Factors In Tamil Nadu’s Handloom Sector: Implications for Weaver Well-Being and Industry Sustainability

Abstract

The study explores the socio-economic conditions and factors of crisis affecting the handloom weavers of Tamil Nadu, with specific attention being paid to their impact on social well-being and sustainability of the industry. By surveying 1,000 weavers from the five leading handloom hubs, the research points to considerable differences in socio-economic conditions by age, gender and marital status. Socio-economic attributes exhibit a positive impact on well-being, whereas crisis variables like access to finance and market access negatively affect well-being. Membership in cooperatives and other sources of income are revealed to improve participants' economic status whereas gender inequality is not a significant contributor to the socio-economic outcomes. The paper highlights the importance of policy responses to strengthen cooperatives, boost market linkages and respond to occupation-related health risks. Incorporating statistical analyses, this study contributes to finding sustainable solutions for the handloom sector while improving the livelihoods of weavers and safeguarding the traditional craft in the years to come.