Textile and apparel factories across India are doing their best to work in safe conditions and avoid the pandemic. However, despite all efforts, we still find those sad instances where factory workers are found to be coronavirus-positive, thereby resulting in huge business losses.
Recent development in Baddi (Himachal Pradesh) proves this.
In last few days, units of leading textile companies like Sara Textiles, Winsome Textile Industries Limited, Arihant Labels and Aristo Spinning Mill have been shut down as few staff members of these units were found to be coronavirus-positive.
Sara Textiles, heaving head office in Noida, is a leading home furnishing company with some prestigious clients to its credit. With a turnover of Rs. 724 crore, Winsome Textile Industries Limited is known for processed yarn and knitted fabric.
As per media reports, a case has been registered against the management of Sara Textiles under Sections 34 (common intention), 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to spread infection) and 270 (malignant act likely to spread infection) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 51 of Disaster Management of Act.
Though a leading English daily reported that since 3 July, 96 of 121 positive cases have been reported from Sara Textiles, but in discussion with Apparel Resources, SM Dwivedi, CEO of the Sara Textiles said that so far 271 workers have been tested and 47 were found positive. This unit has more than 700 workers.
“State should increase testing and allow us to work with workers who are found negative. As factory is closed since 3 July, we are facing huge losses as we can’t commit any delivery date to the buyers,” said SM Dwivedi.
The company is mainly into export and has a monthly loss of Rs. 3 crore only of fixed cost.
Unit of Arihant Label is sealed as the owner of the company has tested coronavirus-positive at Panchkula. Talking to Apparel Resources, a management of Arihant Label told that they are very hopeful to start unit very soon. They refused to share much detail.
Apparel Resources also approached Winsome Textile but could not get any response.
As cases are increasing in this Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh area (BBN industrial area), local authorities have asked the factories to create temporary isolation facilities for at least 10 per cent of their workforce within 7 days.
Few days back Prashant Deshta, Sub Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Nalagarh, directed the contacts of 32 workers of Sara Textiles not to turn up for testing at health institutions and health workers would visit their homes to take their samples.
Local media has quoted senior Government officials that workers in various factories in these areas entered from escape routes, and labour contractor also used unethical practices like misreporting of travel history.
