Festive leaves impact productivity in knitwear units: TEA

The Tiruppur Exporters’ Association (TEA) has expressed concern over employees availing long leaves during festivals such as Diwali, which is impacting productivity at knitwear units.

TEA is worried that delay in delivery schedule will lead to cancellation of orders which will have cascading effect on working capital leading to severe financial stress.

"This will be an advantage to our competing countries at a time when we are struggling to withstand the onslaught of their competition," TEA president Raja M Shanmugham said in a press release.

"It is the right time for all exporting units to inform employees about reality and convince them as to how they can contribute in the betterment of their unit by taking two or three days leave after Diwali instead of ten to fifteen days leave at a stretch and letting all utilities remain idle with a loss of productivity," said Shanmugham, adding that we have now reached at a stage where it has become necessary to cut down costs wherever possible, within our limits to sustain in the business.

In this connection, a circular has also been sent to TEA members requesting them to commence the exercise effectively, make the workers understand the fact and get the expected cooperation for the well being of their units.

A communication has also been sent to the Knitwear Stakeholders Association to advice their members seeking cooperation so that production can be resumed within two to three days and minimise the loss in productivity.