Farmers Movement Archive

Delhi: Factories brace for shorter shifts, fear output may be hit

NEW DELHI: The latest curbs in Delhi have raised apprehensions about working in night shifts and operations being impacted with a number of factory operators expressing concern that this may ultimately result in a full lockdown. Members of industrial associations said the restricted movement would lead to shorter shifts and hamper specialised trades that need to operate round the clock. Some factory owners rued that the guidelines were unclear and transportation wouldn’t be possible if factories were not open for loading, unloading and processing of goods. In outer Delhi’s Bawana Industrial Area, Prakash Chand Jain runs a factory recycling iron to produce sheets that are utilised to manufacture other products. The head of Bawana Chamber of Industries said around 15% of factories in the area operate at night. “The state government can specifically target areas where crowding is taking place or rules are not being followed. Some trades, like plastic units, need continuous operation as furnaces cannot be doused and reheating takes several hours. We hope to get clarity on this soon. The government should also think about prioritising vaccination for the workforce,” added Jain. Manish Mangla from Wazirpur Industrial Area, a hub of stainless steel utensil manufacturing units, said, “Even if the movement outside is prohibited, factory workers should be allowed. While manufacturing copper wire, furnaces take a lot of energy and time to heat, so work can’t be stopped. We will also have to reduce shift hours so that people can reach home early.” Neeraj Sehgal, general secretary of Mayapuri Industrial Welfare Association, said movement of goods and raw materials usually occurs at night. “Factories need to remain open for loading, unloading and processing goods. I operate an ice cream factory and stopping operations at night will lead to wastage of materials,” Sehgal added. Apex Chamber of Commerce and Industries head Raghuvansh Arora said the restrictions would impact the revival of the industrial sector, which was already in the doldrums. “We have advised factory owners to give applications to SDMs about night operations with an assurance that workers will remain inside the premises between 9pm and 6.30am. Manufacturing of plastic goods, chemicals, electrical products, ice cream and frozen items requires round-the-clock operations,” he added. Sheesh Sharma from Mundka Industrial Association, who manufactures metal furniture and related goods, said, “The shifts will now have to be shorter so that people can reach home before 10pm. Our operations are already impacted due to the farmers’ protest at Tikri border. The restrictions will worsen the situation. Panicked workers are thinking about leaving the capital, which will result in shortage of labour.”

The Times of India

2021-04-07

Delhi