The Hindu Business Line : `Ban import of worn garments'

THE Clothing Manufacturers' Association of India (CMAI) has urged the Government to ban the import of second-hand readymade garments into the country.

The import of huge volumes of worn readymade clothing into Kandla special economic zone (SEZ) from different countries for domestic sale represented a health hazard and contributed to a major loss of foreign exchange to the country, the CMAI said in a representation to the Prime Minister and the Ministries of Textiles, Commerce, Industries and Health.

It added that the worn garments were imported on the basis of weight to claim an overall lower duty, but they were being sold on a `per piece' basis. These second-hand clothes were sold at barely 20 per cent of the normal realizable price. This was having a damaging effect on the entire textile and garment industry.

Every piece of garment manufactured in India takes about 6.5 man-days from spinning/weaving of the fabric up to garment making and finishing. The cheap sale of imported worn garments affects the employment of 72 lakh workers directly employed in the garment industry and others in ancillary industries such as manufacturers of buttons, zips, buckles, sewing thread and packing materials.

The imported worn clothing is segregated into three grades, of which A grade quality is re-exported after appropriate washing, ironing and packing. However, the B grade variety is allowed into the country for resale without being washed or fumigated and carries the risk of spreading diseases such as dengue fever, malaria and SARS. Grade C, which is also unhygienic, is used to extract yarn/fibre. The association estimated that about 200 tonnes leave Kandla SEZ every day for distribution in various cities.

The CMAI has appealed to the Government to ban future imports of worn clothing; order the current stocks lying at Kandla to be re-exported, which will earn foreign exchange, or thoroughly wash, fumigate and certify the goods for domestic consumption; and make duty payable on a `per piece' basis so that sale prices can be offered appropriately in the domestic market. The association said that the practice, if not curtailed, would affect the domestic textile and garment manufacturing industry.

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