Truckers’ stir hits Gujarat units, exports

The ongoing nation-wide truckers’ strike has adversely affected Gujarat’s textiles, pharmaceuticals, chemical and ceramic industry, especially with exporters finding it hard to comply with orders, industry representatives said. Industry bodies have also appealed to the Centre to end the strike as local industries are being affected due to difficulty in movement of finished goods and raw materials, with many units stopping production and laying off workers.

The indefinite strike, called under an umbrella body of All India Motor Transport Congress with a slew of demands, including reduction of diesel prices, enters its fifth day on Tuesday.

“Movement of raw materials and finished goods have got hit. Export orders expiring, which is affecting our prestige in the international markets,” president of Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Shailesh Patwari said.