Job loss fear looms again as govt. asks garment units to close

Just when the garment trade, which helps close to 8 lakh staff in Karnataka, had began receiving good orders in the previous few months, the State authorities’s order for closure is anticipated to hit these depending on the trade more durable.

Most of the staff, who had been severely affected through the 2020 lockdown, are but to obtain their salaries for the lockdown interval, and that is anticipated to proceed through the present restrictions too.

“Barring employees in a few industries, employees in most garment industries did not receive wages between March 25, 2020 and May 23, 2020. Those who reported to work on May 4 received about 50% salaries and in a few cases full salaries. However, a large section of the workforce could not join work after May 4 as there was no public transport,” Garment and Textile Workers’ Union president Jayaram mentioned.

In reality, in some instances, staff had to work and compensate for the absence throughout lockdown within the later months.

About 6 to 8 lakh staff, principally ladies, are employed in garment, textile, silk, and dyeing and printing in Karnataka, of which an estimated 4 lakh are employed in Bengaluru.

The relaxation are employed in Mysuru, Shivamogga, Mandya, Tumakuru, and Chickballapur districts.

During the 2020 lockdown, the Bengaluru garment trade contributed vastly within the manufacturing of PPE kits that was in brief provide in India then.

The trade had seen a excessive incidence of job losses within the wake of cancellation of orders from European and U.S. firms. In a number of instances, the businesses folded up.

The state of affairs began bettering since August final yr, and most industries had began hiring again, Mr. Jayaram mentioned. “I really do not know why the government closed the garment sector while allowing other manufacturing activities. Several companies are using guards between machines,” he mentioned.

However, a authorities supply argued that the store ground in a garment manufacturing facility is crowded. “Workers sit at a gap of two to three feet. There have been spurt in cases in factories,” the supply mentioned.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Employers’ Association urged Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa to allow operation of garment industries with 50% attendance through the interval.

Association president B.C. Prabhakar mentioned that the garment trade had acquired good order from Europe with strict timelines. “If there is a delay, it will result in huge penalty, losses, and also employment loss. Foreign buyers may divert orders to countries such as Bangladesh,” he mentioned.

Further, he mentioned that uncooked supplies dispatched by suppliers are in transit, and 50% operation would assist clear the supplies. The suppliers, who supply uncooked supplies from cotton growers, will even be affected, he added. “Total closure can lead to people returning to their hometowns and they may not return for some time. This will put industry in further trouble,” he mentioned in a letter.