Rameswaram fishermen go on indefinite strike after 60-day ban ends

Rameswaram: Fishermen in Tamil Nadu's Rameswaram went on an indefinite strike over the low price that they get from export companies for their catch.

After the state government's 60-day ban, fishermen had ventured into sea on June 14. They stated that the catch was much better than expected. However, though the boat owners had spent huge money towards fuel, wages for fishing labourers and other costs, the companies offered very low prices for prawns and fishes, Rameswaram Fishermen Association President P Sesuraja told reporters after an urgent meeting of 11 fishermen associations.

The price of prawn per kg would be around Rs 550, but the export companies offered just Rs 300, he claimed.

The meeting sought the intervention of the Tamil Nadu government in the matter and to ensure they got a fair deal. Otherwise, the state government should set up procurement centres to buy fish directly from fishermen, he added.