Chennai: The trade association Apparel and Handloom Exporters Association said on Sunday that the ongoing lockdown has had a major impact on goods supplied by September. The organization claims representation of about 400 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the state.
Honorary secretary of the association Nishant Jain said the workforce has been affected to a large extent due to the 12-day lockdown in Chennai and neighboring districts. He requested the state government not to extend the lockdown ending June 30 as traders are unable to provide service to their consumers.
She said in a statement that apparel and handloom export companies employ about 1.50 lakh workers, including 90 percent women. They have no other source of livelihood due to the ongoing lockdown. He said that the industry was already suffering heavy losses due to cancellation of orders by companies from March to May. He said that the finished goods had to be exported between June and September and if the companies did not supply the foreign consumers on time, the companies could cancel the order.
