Amid second wave of COVID-19, the Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) has urged the government to declare apparel exports as essential services and exempt the exporting units from lockdowns across India.
AEPC noted that most of the apparel exports are season and fashion sensitive, and their salvage value becomes zero if the production and shipment are not done in time. AEPC Chairman A Sakthivel said that considering the perishable nature of the product, apparel exports should be seen as essential services.
Sakthivel further stated that many neighbouring and competing countries have already accorded apparel exports the status of essential services. He said the sector showed resilience in getting back on track after being badly hit in 2020 with huge export order cancellations, bankruptcies and labourers going back to native places.