The Employment and Livelihood Challenge Among the Informal Handloom Weavers During COVID-19 and Lockdown in Odisha, India

Abstract

The study examines the employment and livelihood challenges encountered by the informal handloom weavers of Odisha due to the Coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdown. For this purpose, primary data have been collected from 435 active handloom weaving households in the Bargarh district of Odisha through a multistage random sampling method. A semi-log multiple regression model has been employed to find out the major factors contributing to the income loss of the handloom weavers. The findings show that acute financial constraints, huge income loss and unemployment have been experienced by the handloom weavers. The regression analysis reveals that the variables like firm size, indebtedness status, unemployment status, source of secondary income, social category and production-marketing systems significantly contributed to the income loss of the weavers during the COVID-19 lockdown. In the absence of a proper income and employment cushion, most of the handloom weavers borrowed money and survived on governments’ Corona relief measures. However, these assistances were scanty in nature and could not help the weavers to withstand the employment and income crisis. At this time, supplementary policy measures in the form of weavers’ specific government schemes with wide coverage and outreach will be helpful for the handloom weavers to revive from the crisis.