Carpet weaving in Kashmir, which was once considered to be a tradition for the region, is today facing a dreadful extinction. A large number of carpet weavers have already changed their means of earning while those who continue to weave will be soon be forced to do the same because of the low income and low standards of living accompanied by the profession.
While skilled weavers get a petty sum of Rs100 per day, laborers get around Rs140-150. This can be a reason why there is a shortage of carpet weavers during the summer construction season since most of them prefer working as laborers than weavers. However, with approaching winters, the situation improves a bit with artisans returning to their looms.
Carpet weavers strongly believe that they have been tremendously exploited by the Government as well as by the middlemen. While exporters are extracting the profits from the hard work of weavers, the real creditors are finding it difficult to meet even their daily expenses.
Since the Department of Labor does not seem to be keen on setting things right, carpet industry is slowly heading towards a disastrous culmination.
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