SIALKOT: The Pakistan Leather Garments Manu­facturers & Exporters Asso­ciation (PLGMEA) has urg­ed the government to exem­­pt export-oriented units in Punjab from lockdown restrictions on Saturdays too, besides allowing them to work in double shifts to complete their orders under full standard operating procedures.

In a statement issued on Saturday, Syed Nadeem Abbas said the implementation of social distancing during industrial operations could be observed in a better way in double shifts without reducing the size of the workforce to avoid massive unemployment.

He said exporters were highly perturbed and want to complete their pending orders. The enhanced working days will allow them to complete consignments and send shipments to avoid financial losses.

According to Abbas, the government had taken an appreciable step by allowing operations to the export-oriented industries and this relief should be extended on Saturdays, besides okaying at least two shifts, as the foreign exchange earning industry may suffer up to 30 per cent export loss in present circumstances.

Published in Dawn, June 28th, 2020