COVID-19 Lockdown and Challenges of Handloom Weavers: Evidence from Western Odisha

Abstract

The COVID-19 lockdown has disrupted the lives of millions of people worldwide. The present article studies handloom weavers’ challenges during the COVID-19-led lockdown period in Western Odisha. The study is based on primary data using 390 sample weaver households from a field survey conducted in the Bargarh and Subarnapur districts in Western Odisha. The article attempts to understand the challenges of the weavers through the lens of market closure, income loss based on the nature of employment, caste and gender. Their distress is reflected in terms of food insecurity and loss of children’s education. The study recommends that the government provide them with a special financial package through direct cash transfer to lessen the burden of distress.