Socio-Economic Conditions of Women Handloom Workers: Evidence from Imphal East and Thoubal Districts of Manipur

The handloom industry is a vital socio-economic pillar in Manipur, primarily driven by women. The study adopted a descriptive research design using multi-stage stratified random sampling of 600 women handloom workers from Imphal East and Thoubal districts, with primary data collected through structured interviews and analyzed using frequency and percentage methods. The findings reveal a workforce dominated by mature artisans, with 56.17% aged 45 and above, while only 10.83% of the youth participate. A significant contradiction between educational attainment and occupational placement was evident, with 21.50% of weavers being graduates, highlighting the sector’s role as an important employment safety net. Socially, the sector supports large households, with 50.67% of weavers managing families of 5–7 members. Economically, however, the artisans face precarious conditions: 46.67% earn less than Rs. 7,000 monthly, and 84.83% remain unregistered. Furthermore, 92.50% of weavers operate without government support, relying almost entirely on local markets for raw materials (98.83%) and sales (88.67%). The study concludes that while the sector provides critical livelihood, the lack of formalization and market diversification hinders financial upward mobility. It recommends institutional registration, subsidized yarn banks, and digital market training to transition these artisans from subsistence-level workers to sustainable entrepreneurs.