ALAPPUZHA: About 1.5 lakh families dependent on the coir sector are in dire straits due to the low production of coir and related products. As most of the exporters buy the products through intermediaries, all the 600 coir spinning groups are forced to sell their coir products at low prices. More than one lakh families depend on coir and other products. In addition, there are more than 52 coir producers' societies. The 40,000 workers who work in these places also earn a meagre income. As per condition, foreign orders should be given to the producers' societies through the Coir Corporation. However, these societies are not receiving significant orders.
Several people are looking for other jobs as they have no work and money. As the order dwindled, so did the small producers. As the orders dwindled, small producers are unable to earn income. On the one hand, the problems in the service-pay system. On the other hand, there has been no active effort on the part of the government to find a market. Coir products cannot be sold just by conducting frequent fairs. The ruling party unions have also declared a strike demanding immediate action to save the coir sector.
Most of the 600 coir spinning societies in the state are in Cherthala, Ambalapuzha and Karthikapally taluks - 335.