In this interview, Ashwin Chandra, Chairman, The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA), delves into challenges ailing the spinning industry.
Browsing: COVID 19
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have recommended face masks to protect against COVID-19 practically since the pandemic began, and still the debate about their efficacy endures.
Few textile industries and shops in Ludhiana and Surat plan to go on a self-lockdown owing to the rise in COVID-19 cases. Other industries are planning to work with 50% of staff to prevent the spread of infection.
The Committee on Cotton Production and Consumption expects the current year’s production to be 36 million bales, lower than last year’s estimate of 365 lakh bales. This dip is owing to the spread and impact of COVID-19.
The state government imposed a state-wide lockdown allowing only construction and manufacturing activities to take place. The KEA has requested for garment factories to function with COVID-19 measures and 50% attendance.
The Apparel Export Promotion Council seeks the Centre and state governments’ support in avoiding another lockdown. Textile exporters say another lockdown would mean failing to complete existing export orders.
Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) said that stopping textile units in Tamil Nadu during night hours and on Sundays would affect the production activities, exports and also the jobs of several lakhs of workers.