MSME are Hit by COVID-19 Restrictions: MSME Owners' Body

Owners of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) said they have been financially hit by the restrictions imposed by the government even though their workforce is vaccinated against COVID-19 and their workers have become unemployed, so they have urged the government to allow them to operate with certain conditions.

Industry owners said the government has done little to help them during these harsh circumstances and has imposed restrictions without looking at the MSMEs from their perspective.

On one hand, industry owners fear that labourers would leave for their villages. They also face a challenge in paying salaries, electricity and water bills, rents while the production and hence income is lower than usual.

On the other hand, labourers are forced to roam around looking for work. Most of them will have to leave their respective workplaces and head back to their homes in case COVID-19 cases increase and restrictions get harsher.

Dr Anil Gupta, Chairman, Jhilmil Friends Colony Industrial area body told ANI, "There are 3,000 MSMEs in our area and at least one lakh workers in Delhi. We show 100 per cent compliance with COVID-19 norms and our entire workforce is fully vaccinated. There are no crowds either. But still, we are always the first who are told to shut down our work by the government."