Our factories are closed since the 20th of March. As we are pure exporters we are entirely dependent on foreign markets which are highly competitive. A lot of orders have already been cancelled. Those that have not been cancelled, will not be shipped on time, giving the buyer an excuse to refuse the consignment or delay payments. Containers of cancelled orders are piling up at the port and goods half prepared are rotting in our factories.
Our workers are laid off and many have returned back to their villages due to fear of unseen virus. Those that remain are unable to work because of government edict - although many of them reside in the factory premises or have hired accommodation close by to their factories. The factories cannot work.
The situation is leading to a national catastrophe. The medical emergency will soon be superseded by a worse economic chaos.
We urge the government to sit with us, make emergency plans and restart industrial and commercial life. Exports must be permitted just as imports are flowing smoothly. We need not compromise on the social distancing, hygiene and precaution. The factories are far more capable of enforcing a medical vigil, and isolate suspects, than mere unprepared and untutored villagers.
If we do not move now, we may lose the ability to do even that.
Tahir Jahangir,(Chairman Towel Manufacturers Association of Pakistan)
Shabir Ahmad, (Patron in Chief Bedwear Association of Pakistan
Azhar Mahmood Sheikh