FPCCI supports textile industry, opposes strike

ISLAMABAD: The Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) has raised serious concerns over a strike called by textile trade bodies, terming the move as utterly counterproductive not only to the industry but also national economy, a statement said on Wednesday. 

Earlier, All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) announced to protest against the government for putting the textile sector on the back burner. The call has been answered by Pakistan Textile Exporters Association (PTEA), Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers Association (PHMA), Pakistan Bedsheet Association (PBA), and 25 other bodies. 

“The textile industry contributes around 8 percent to the GDP, makes up more than 60 percent of total exports, and employs about 40 percent of industrial labour force of Pakistan. A strike will only worsen the situation,” Aamer Ata Bajwa, acting president FPCCI, said. 

Expressing solidarity with the textile trade associations, he lamented the industry was already struggling to survive in the face of challenges like power/gas load-shedding and dwindling exports. “The textile sector needs government’s support so that it could play a vibrant role in the economy,” the FPCCI official added. 

They must realise, Bajwa said, that an adverse action would only damage the industry by leading to the closure of more textile units, which means mass unemployment.  “It is critical that the finance and commerce ministries consider the demands being made by Aptma and other textile associations to overcome the current crisis in the best interest of the country,” Bajwa emphasised. 

He also urged the government to release the sales tax refunds and implement the prime minister’s export incentive package announced in January 2017.  “We appeal to the government to withdraw the levy of Rs3.63 per kWh surcharge in electricity bill and reduce textile related imports from China and India to salvage the textile industry from its total collapse,” the acting president of the chamber said while demanding the implementation of textile policy (2014-19). 

At the end of the statement, Bajwa requested Prime Minister of Pakistan to take notice of the issue and direct the concerned authorities to provide all the stakeholders a level playing field.