ISLAMABAD: Exporters have sought the federal government’s intervention in allowing production activities at the Karachi Export Processing Zone (KEPZ).
Exporters as well as businessmen have written a letter to the KEPZ Authority secretary, seeking permission to continue production activities so that their pending export orders could be completed.
“We are manufacturers and exporters of embroidered laces in KEPZ under the name of Eurotex. We have also shut our production in order to safeguard our labours and community in the wake of the coronavirus crisis,” states Mustafa Humayun of Eurotex in the letter.
“Today our customer has informed us that our competitors/exporters in the Karachi SITE area have resumed production. If we (Eurotex) are unable to deliver goods, they (the foreign customer) will cancel orders and transfer to other suppliers running production.”
Humyaun requested the KEPZ secretary to allow the company to partially run with the limited staff so that they might fulfill their orders, otherwise the company would lose its customers as well as precious foreign exchange.
“Our machines with 4 meters in size are installed far from each other so the workers will not be in close contact with each other. We will also make arrangements to give masks and sanitisers to labourers upon their arrival and before leaving the company.”
Officials, however, say police and other law enforcement agencies are not allowing employees of EPZs to visit offices due to lockdown.
