Members of the Maruthavar Saloon Workers Welfare Association today appealed to the district administration to provide land for them to construct houses or provide rented houses for living as majority of the house owners were not willing to give their houses for rent to them.

A large number of hairdressers (barbers) gathered in front of the district collectorate to submit a petition seeking allotment of land at one place so that the entire community could live together and help one another.

The association secretary, K. Mantrachalam, said hairdressers were finding it difficult to get a house or shop for rent as the owners were reluctant to give their property to the community, that falls under the Most Backward Class section.

“This has forced most of the members to move to outskirts to earn a livelihood, leaving the families back in the city,” he said.

A hair dresser was paying Rs. 1500 to 2000 rent per month for a single room house in the city and a similar amount for a shop space in semi-urban area. “The administration should take steps to address our concern and provide land to construct houses or provide houses or shop space at a nominal rent,” he added.