LCCI chief urges govt to address concerns voiced by health, OTC sector

LAHORE: The Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Friday urged the government to address concerns of the Health and Over-The-Counter (OTC) sector regarding recent raids on manufacturing units in Punjab as it is also tarnishing soft image of this sector.

LCCI President Kashif Anwar said that these raids are damaging the reputation of health & OTC sector which result in significant reduction in exports and losing a big share of export market to the competitor countries. He was speaking with a delegation of Health and OTC sector.

The delegation emphasized that while they acknowledge the importance of maintaining quality standards and regulation, the manner in which surprise raids are conducted has become distressing for workers and staff. They highlighted that the current approach often leads to humiliation and creates a sense of insecurity among the workforce.

Moreover, the release of videos depicting these inspections further add to negative sentiments prevailing in the market, impacting the sector’s performance amidst an already challenging economic environment.

The delegation proposed a more constructive approach, advocating for “soft inspections” that would allow for the identification of discrepancies or areas needing improvement without subjecting the workforce to undue stress. They emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts to address compliance issues, ensuring that regulations and standards are upheld while safeguarding the dignity and morale of the workforce.

LCCI President affirmed the chamber’s commitment to advocating for a reasonable approach by the authorities. He emphasized the need to evaluate the impact of raids on the reputation and integrity of the Health and OTC sector, stressing that it takes years to build a reputation that can be tarnished in mere moments. He said that through implementing soft inspections and fostering collaboration between stakeholders, the industry’s integrity can be upheld while protecting the dignity and morale of its workforce.

He urged the authorities to consider the sector’s concerns seriously to avoid any adverse effects on exports and overall industry performance.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2024