Coimbatore: Export units and ancillary firms in Tirupur district are getting ready to resume business from Monday after the state government granted them permission to operate in compliance with Covid-19 guidelines.As per the government order, export units, units that have export commitments or export orders, and their vendor units providing inputs to such industries, can function with 10% workforce for carrying out export-related work and for sending samples.Welcoming the move, Tirupur Exporters Association (TEA) president Raja M Shanmugam called the decision a ray of hope for buyers across the globe.
It sent a message that the industries in Tirupur are resuming operation, he said.
Tirupur has 5,000 export and supporting units.
“Export units in Tirupur are catering to the western market and is a multi-seasonal business.
Prior to the season, we have to provide samples to buyers to receive orders.
If we fail to send samples, buyers might opt other suppliers because the lockdown is imposed only in India.
Once we lose the chance, we may not receive orders next season.
In such a situation, the state government’s decision has given us some hope,” Shanmugam said.
“We have decided to focus on completing pending orders and prepare samples.
Other industries in the garment cluster, like knitting and dying, would simultaneously resume operations and within a few days, the momentum would be picked up and the sampling process would go on in a full-fledged manner.
“The Tirupur Exporters and Manufacturers’ Association (Teama) has advised members not to resume business for one week, unless it is necessary, said secretary G R Senthilvel.
“It is not advisable to resume business immediately after a drop in Covid-19 cases.
I hope buyers would understand the pandemic situation and would not cancel orders.
Even if supply is delayed by a week or so, we can make alternative transportation arrangements to deliver goods.
But it differs from person to person and the relationship between the buyer and supplier,” he said.Meanwhile, the South India Spinners Association (Sispa) has written to chief minister M K Stalin, requesting him to allow them operate spinning mills with workers staying on mill premises.
“While spinning mills were closed for one month, mill owners have been providing accommodation, food and wages to workers.
But as mills are not functioning, guest workers have started to leave to their native places.
If the situation continues, there would be an acute shortage of workers,” the letter said.