Handloom units drop to 37pc in 15yrs: BBS
A lack of capital, automation, manpower shortage and inadequate marketing facilities were blamed for the gradual fall of the promising industry
The number of handloom units in the country has decreased to 36.79 percent in the last 15 years, according to a census conducted by Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS) in 2018.
A lack of capital, automation, manpower shortage and inadequate marketing facilities were blamed for the gradual fall of the promising industry.
During the time, more than 67,000 handloom units have faced closure, forcing around 5.72 lakh workers to switch to other professions.
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There were 8.8 lakh employees in the industry in 2003; the number came down to 3.16 lakh in 2018, down by 64 percent.
Saurendra Nath Chakrabharty, secretary to the Statistics and Information Management Division, unveiled the Handloom Census 2018 at a programme at the BBS auditorium in the capital on Thursday.
“The handloom industry is losing its popularity day by day, albeit it has been a heritage since the ancient period,” Saurendra said.
“I hope the ministry concerned will take necessary steps based on our findings to save this sector from extinction,” said BBS Director General Krishna Gayen.
Among others, Gulnar Najmun Nahar, additional secretary to the Textiles and Jute Ministry, and Md Zahidul Hoque Sardar, director of the census wing of the BBS, were present and spoke at the event.
