Coronavirus hits Plywood industry as migrants leave

Closure of shops and other establishments and fear over Covid-19 outbreak have led to exodus of migrant workers from various parts of the district to their native places. However, suspension of train services has forced many to stay back in the district itself. The exodus in turn affected the functioning of plywood industry, which largely depends on migrant workforce. The production in plywood industry has been reduced to half after the exodus of migrant workforce started a few days ago. They fear more people will leave the state in the coming days which will lead to further decrease in production. “They misunderstood that Covid-19 has spread across Kerala. Requests from their family members has also force them to return home. Summer is the best season for plywood industry to make up the revenue loss suffered during the same period last year due to the NRC issue in Assam. Monsoon is the lean season for us. The disease outbreak has jeopardized our expectations,” said Basheer K A, executive member of the Sawmill Owners and Plywood Manufactures Association. Around 1,500 timber industries function in Perumbavoor, Kalady and neighbouring areas in the district.