Apparel exporters seek relief package, say millions could go jobless

Write to PM, saying foreign order cancellations would affect 12.9 million workers

As factories shut down, workers leave and global demand plummets, apparel exporters have sounded the alarm, warning that millions of people could go jobless soon if a relief package isn't announced soon.

Even as the industrial cycle has ground to a halt during the 21-day lockdown, the industry has been hit hard by foreign orders from major clients in the US and Europe being cancelled. Also, a sudden lack of labour has crippled the sector because of a mass exodus of workers from industrial units to the hinterland.

According to industry estimates, about 70 per cent of the apparel units are in