Gurugram, Apr 22 (KNN) Garment Exporters & Manufacturers Association (GEMA) has appealed Prime Minister Narendra Modi that government should pay wages for workers engaged in the sector for April and May as the community is battling to deal with the lockdown due to Covid-19.

The appeal was also made to Textile Minister, Finance Minister and Chief Ministers.

'We humbly wish to inform that we are not in a position to pay wages for the months of April and May despite our best intention," said GEMA president Vijay Jindal.

'We request the government to come forward and stand by the apparel export industry to pay wages for workers for the months of April and May," he added.

Explaining further, he said that Garment Industry is labour intensive and almost 30- 35 per cent of revenue forms the salary part. Most of the export orders have either been cancelled or put on hold, the consignments already shipped is also stuck.

'Even the apparel manufactured against the order are also lying in the factories because of the ban on movement/transport. The situation has become grave as they have yet not got any receipt of payment from the buyers,' he added.

Jindal feared that the recent advisory of the government that wages must be paid by employers even during the lockdown period will push the apparel industry deeper into the crisis. The garment exporters somehow managed to pay full wages in March, but can't afford to pay the wages for the month of April.

'The government should pay wages from the funds available in the Atal Bimit Vyakti Kalyan Yojana (ABVKY) Scheme, which has, "as understood, huge reserves, he suggested

ESI and labour Funds can also be used to pay the wages for Employees covered under these schemes, he said.

Government may also look at how countries around the World are helping Employees and Employers. The industry is collapsing and looking for the much-needed ray of hope and support to survive and sustain.

MENAFN2204202001550000ID1100067395