CEOs prefer strict safety norms over partial lockdowns: CII Survey

Amid rising Covid circumstances and talks of partial and whole localised lockdowns, many of the CEOs in India imagine that together with the continued vaccination drive, stringent implementation of safety norms ought to be adopted as a substitute of going for restrictions and partial lockdowns, in response to a CII survey.

Around 75 per cent of the 710 CEOs polled had been of the view that partial lockdown measures might affect the motion of labour in addition to motion of products, which might have an effect on industrial manufacturing considerably. About 60 per cent of the CEOs mentioned that their manufacturing might be affected if there are restrictions on motion of labour throughout these partial lockdowns.

Similarly, 56 per cent of the CEOs expressed their concern over lack of manufacturing of as much as 50 per cent if there have been restrictions on the ecosystem which helps motion of products.

The CEOs polled pertained to each manufacturing and providers and 68 per cent of the responding CEOs had been from MSMEs.

“Stringent enforcement measures to promote strict adherence to health and safety protocols are essential and any measures to restrict social gatherings should not be extended to regular functioning of industry and commerce” mentioned T.V. Narendran, President Designate of CII.

While the Indian business is properly ready and outfitted for implementation of stricter well being and safety protocols as revealed by 96 per cent of the CEOs polled, stringent implementation of safety norms was opined to be higher than the choice of partial lockdowns by 93 per cent of the CEOs polled.

“Protecting livelihoods along with lives is essential and industry is keen to work with the Government on universal coverage (18 years and above) of vaccination programme and in implementing strict health and safety protocols”, mentioned Narendran.

Looking at methods to mitigate the affect of the restrictions, about 67 per cent of the CEOs of these polled expressed their need to work with the federal government for mass vaccination of eligible workforce who’re 45 years and above.

While 57 per cent of the businesses expressed the necessity to inventory uncooked supplies in extra of just-in-time ranges to fulfill any doubtless scarcity of uncooked supplies, about 31 per cent of the business leaders mentioned that they’d accommodate their labour power within the manufacturing facility in case of motion restrictions as a consequence of evening curfew.

More than 60 per cent of the CEOs advised that the federal government ought to permit motion of employees in all shifts throughout evening curfews and in addition free motion of products together with the required personnel to facilitate the motion of products. This ought to be allowed with all employees and business employees strictly following all well being and safety protocols.

“The government handled both lives and livelihoods effectively during the first wave. It could do so again by keeping industrial activities out of the ambit of partial lockdowns aimed at restricting social gatherings. This will help India recover from the economic contraction and stabilize the upward growth trends being currently witnessed in several sectors,” mentioned Narendran.