Coir workers to get retirement benefits

The Kerala government has decided to give retirement benefits to the superannuated coir workers in the state.

Stating this, revenue and coir minister Adoor Prakash said the move would benefit 16,000 coir workers, who retired before 2006, and involve an expenditure of Rs 10.76 crore.

The government will also conduct a mega event — Coir Kerala 2013 — to promote coir and coir products. This will be held in the coastal city of Alappuzha from February 1-6. Prakash said the previous two editions of Coir Kerala had enabled to step up the profile of Kerala’s traditional coir sector. Coir exports increased to Rs 1,050 crore in 2011-12 from Rs 808 crore in 2010-11.

 

‘Coir Kerala 2013’ expects to attract 150 international buyers and see good participation from Latin American and African countries, besides 300-odd national buyers from various parts of the country. The international fair is also targeting to bring in an export of Rs 200 crore, and Rs 250 crore in the domestic market.

Thiruvananthapuram-based National Coir Research and Management Institute is coordinating the event. The government has already launched a dedicated website for the event.