Factories must be allowed to operate at night: City's Industrialists assure Govt. that workers will adhere to strict overnight timings
Coimbatore: With the imposition of the Tamil Nadu Government's curfew from Tuesday night to combat the second wave of COVID-19 that is sweeping across the nation, only factories that need to be operational round the clock have been granted permission to function from 10 pm to 4 am.
Karthik, President, South Indian Engineering Manufacturers Association (SIEMA) stated, "We wholeheartedly welcome the steps taken by the Government of Tamil Nadu to control the pandemic. However, what has been declared for continuously operating factories should be changed to allowing all factories to operate overnight. Businesses are prepared to ensure that their employees enter the business premises before 10 pm and leave the company after 4 pm. The list of sustainable industries currently announced by the Government includes only the foundry and textile sector. Considering the growth of industries, all the industries should be allowed to continue to operate at night and an announcement regarding this should be made immediately," he further added.
Ramesh Babu, President of the Coimbatore District Small Industries Association (CODISSIA) said, "We welcome the Government's initiative. However, industries have not yet recovered from the impact of the first wave of COVID-19. No large scale infection was detected in the institutions. This is due to the fact that the industry is following the guidelines issued by the Government on the prevention of infections. So with this in mind, the Tamil Nadu Government should allow all businesses to operate at night. Companies will take action to ensure that their employees arrive at work by 10 pm and leave the premises only after 4 am," he added.
James, District President of TACT said, "The announcement by the Tamil Nadu government is confusing. The only companies with continuous operation that fits the list are the foundry and the textile sector. All businesses should be allowed to continue operating at night. Operating companies should not be harassed by police and Government officials on the pretext of inspection," he reiterated.