Informal Sector Worst Hit In Mumbai By Exodus Of Workers

Mumbai: Dharavi has been spared the Covid-19 scourge in the second round, but its labourers working in the 15,000 one-room factories have started moving out. Leather and textile units are shutting down, while pottery has no takers.

- Clara.Lewis

“Leather is not an essential item so we cannot sell. Most of the workers are from the Muslim community and have preferred to go home for Ramzan. Only those factories that already have orders are operational. We foresee a longer lockdown,” said Chandrakant Pote, who runs a showroom in Dharavi.

Bhaskar Shetty, who is actively associated with Kumbharwada, said while the workers are local, there is no demand and transport for their goods. “Hotels would buy pots used for serving food, but now there are no orders. Transportation is a huge issue,” he said.

Kiran Dighavkar, assistant civic commissioner, G/North ward, said around 30% of workshops have shut and labourers started leaving before the weekend lockdown when textile units closed. “Generally there is huge demand for clothes during Ramzan, but not so this time. The exodus, however, is not as much as last year,” he said.