Noida: Unable to allow workers’ stay on site, units making essentials may shut shop

Sharmila Bhowmick | TNN | Updated: Apr 26, 2020, 14:05 IST

NOIDA: A manufacturing unit in lockdown is a heavily regulated space. Only half the staff strength is allowed, those working have to maintain distance at all times and the employer must find a way to accommodate them on the premises. Saturday was the last day to implement it all, but manufacturers of essential items — there are 445 in Noida — are in a bind. They can’t stop operations but don’t know how to make space for employees to live on site.
“We may have to shut down,” said Saurabh Khanna, owner of Romsons, a medical disposables manufacturing unit in Noida. “We employ more than 150 people. In the SEZ area, there is no scope for housing. We have women workers. Housing so many people on the premises can lead to law and order problems. There should have been a set of rules for essential goods manufacturers. We have appealed for a rollback of the decision.”
An ECG machine components manufacturer in Noida’s SEZ voiced the same concern. “Where can we accommodate 300 employees? We don’t have the infrastructure and it could lead to law and order problems,” said Amit Mehra, chairperson of Medico Electrodes.
The district administration had on April 22 issued a letter saying all operating units must either house their employees in the factories or in the vicinity. If they couldn’t, they should shut operations by April 25, failing which their permissions would be revoked.
Manufacturers said process is labour-intensive and keeping the assembly line running while making sure social distancing is observed can be difficult. Mehra said, “We are anyway operating at 40% capacity. Employees board the bus starting from the last seats and are seated in gaps of two rows. Lunch is spread out over three hours to avoid crowding. No more than two people at a table.” He added, “We have made it work. So far.”