The inventor of a new "ergonomic" loom that will improve the working conditions and incomes of carpet weavers has been awarded the 2005 Tech Museum Prize. Mr. Saeed Awan, Director of the Centre for the Improvement of Working Conditions and Environment (CIWCE) in Lahore, Pakistan, with the help of the ILO-IPEC Carpet Project, has created an ergonomically designed loom for carpet weaving.

In a study conducted by CIWCE, bad working positions was found to be the major cause of carpet weavers' health problems. The new loom is designed for the adult body and allows the carpet weaver to sit in a chair or stand while weaving, rather than the ground as dictated by previous loom designs.

Health benefits and work improvements for adult carpet weavers resulted in higher incomes as adults became healthier and more productive. It also resulted in reduction of child labour as families became less dependent on children's work.

To learn more about the innovations in loom design and the accrued benefits, see «ILO-IPEC nominated inventor of new ergonomic loom honored with 2005 Tech Museum Award» Press Release ILO/05/37 Geneva: International Labour Organization.