Swift growth leads to manpower scarcity in leather industry
14 Jul '06
2 min read
Experts have termed the huge manpower crunch in the leather industry as a big threat especially when foreign entities look India as a region with low production cost.
Boom in the sector has made manmade-labour a sacred commodity leading to fierce battle among various companies. Ironically, it comes at a time when the government has set the target of creating one million more employment opportunities in the next five years.
M Rafeeque Ahmed, Chairman, Council for Leather Exports stated that it was becoming increasingly difficult to retain the people despite significant jump in their salaries.
He lamented the fact that young brigade was preferring leading brands and companies over leather industry.
With the stress on pushing up the export of leather products, demand for mid level technical manpower is bound to rise even further, says Council Executive Director K Elangovan.
Severe labour crisis has forced companies into horse-trading.
Elangovan has suggested a host of measures that need to be taken up to tackle this current shortfall.
He has proposed the introduction of leather courses in in ITIs and polytechnics along with reducing the fees. He has also recommended the adoption of a few ITIs by the leather industry.
K Balasubramanian, Executive Director, Indian Institute of Leather Products, hinted that foot wear training centre at Ambur, is in the offing to meet the requirements of Vellore district.
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