Surat's powerloom weavers threaten stir over anti-dumping duty on nylon yarn

SURAT: Powerloom weavers and knitters manufacturing nylon fabrics have threatened to launch agitation against the Central government for imposing anti-dumping duty on the import of nylon filament yarn.
Industry sources said that the final hearing on the anti-dumping duty on the import of nylon filament yarn will be held by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) in New Delhi on Wednesday.
Weavers stated that the nylon yarn prices have already gone up by Rs 10 per kg in the local market ahead of the decision by the DGTR. They fear that the move may force the weavers to shut down their units due high prices of yarn.
Mayur Golwala, leader of the Nylon Yarn Weavers Association said, “The anti-dumping duty will force many weavers to shut their units. The weavers are prepared to launch agitation against the government’s decision.”
“The decision will lead to increase in yarn prices by Rs 80 per kilogram and the fabric cost will go up to Rs 4 per metre. At present, the industry is consuming about 30% of the nylon yarn imported from other countries.”
A nylon weaver, Bhupendra Chawala told TOI, “As the government abolished duty on import of purified terephthalic acid (PTA), the yarn spinners increased prices by Rs 10 per kilogram. If anti-dumping duty on nylon yarn is imposed, the prices will go up further upto Rs 100 per kilogram. We will have no choice, but to shut the units.”
Another weaver, Jayesh Satyawala said, “The cost of production of nylon fabric will go up and the traders will not purchase nylon fabrics. This will render many jobless in the nylon weaving sector. We can only hope that the government takes a positive stand in favour of the weavers or else our sector will be on the death bed.”