Bengaluru, Karnataka
The Karnataka
Employers’ Association (KEA) has urged the Karnataka state government to let
the garment factories function normally with at least 50% attendance and strict
COVID-19 measures.
The state
government recently imposed a state-wide lockdown allowing only construction
and manufacturing activities to take place.
BC Prabhakar,
President, KEA has mentioned that after the agricultural sector, the garment
industry employed maximum workers, around 8 lakh just in Karnataka, and
allowing a minimal 50% strength will help the employees. He added that with the
recent opening of European markets, work at garment factories have picked up
and a delay in delivering finished goods will cause penalties and job losses.
Moreover, if the timelines aren’t met, foreign buyers shift to neighbouring
countries such as Bangladesh, which will lead to permanent business or order
loss as well.
Prabhakar further
added that raw materials shipped by suppliers have to be downloaded and stored
else the factories will be burdened with transportation charges and demurrages.
He also said that the small-time cotton cultivating enterprises will be hit by
the full closure in Karnataka. He stated that a total closure might lead to corrosion
of machinery which needs maintenance and forces migrant workers from North
India to leave back to their hometown causing labour shortage.
Jayaram, President,
Garment and Textile Workers’ Union, said that several employees had to work and
compensate for the absence during the 2020 lockdown in the later months.
Prabhakar assured
that the garment
industries are already following all the guidelines and are additionally monitored
by foreign buyers who follow UN protocols for strict compliance.
Source: The Hindu, The Hindu Business Line
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