CMAI's
representation to Government to ban import of worn (secondhand)
clothing highlights health hazard and negative impact on Domestic
Textile & Garment Industry
Released on
= January 21, 2005, 1:47 am
Press Release
Author = CMAI
Industry = Apparel
& Fashion
Press Release
Summary = Strong representation to Prime Minister,Union Minister
of Textiles and Industry
Press Release
Body =
: The Clothing
Manufacturers Association of India (CMAI) which represents a large
cross section of garment manufacturers, retailers and exporters,
has made a strong representation to the Hon'ble Prime Minister of
India and the Union Ministers of
Textiles, Commerce, Industry and Health, to ban the import of second-hand
readymade garments into the country. The import of huge volumes
of worn readymade clothing into Kandla SEZ from different countries
for domestic sale is contributing to a
major loss of foreign exchange to the country, in addition to being
a potential health hazard as these garments are resold in completely
unhygienic conditions.
Revenue &
employment loss concerns The worn garments are imported on the basis
of weight to claim an overall lower duty, whereas the sale of such
garments is on “per piece” basis. These second
hand clothes are sold dirt-cheap in the country at barely 20% of
a normal
realizable price, which is having a damaging effect on the entire
Textile & Garment Industry. Every piece of garment manufactured
in India takes about 6½ man-days from spinning/weaving of
the fabric upto garment making and finishing. The cheap sale of
these imported worn garments potentially affects employment of 72
lakh workers directly employed in the garment industry, about 80%
of which are women supporting the family income, and others in ancillary
industries such as manufacturers of
buttons, zips, buckles, sewing thread, packing materials etc. Taking
a conservative average sale price of Rs. 180/- for a new piece,
the sale of the second hand garments at one-fifth this price results
in a loss of about Rs. 6000/- crores per anu
m which is 8% of the total annual domestic sale of the garment industry.
Health concerns
The imported worn clothing is segregated into 3 grades, of which
Grade A 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, which carries the
immense risk of containing several communicable viruses such as
Dengue Fever, Malaria, Sars etc. Grade C, which also remains unhygienic
like grade B, is used for extracting yarn/fibre. It is estimated
that about 200 Tons (10-11 lakh of such pieces) leave Kandla SEZ
every day for distribution in various cities.
In view of the
above, CMAI has appealed to the government to:
1. Ban future imports of worn clothing.
2. Order the current stocks lying at Kandla to be re-exported, which
will also earn some foreign exchange. Alternately, the goods should
be thoroughly washed, fumigated and certified for domestic consumption.
3. Make duty payable on “per piece” basis so
sale prices can be offered appropriately in the domestic market.
If this situation
is not curtailed immediately, it can adversely affect the domestic
textile and garment manufacturing industry which is very well equipped
to cater to the entire needs of the domestic and export markets.
For more information,
please contact:
Mr. S L ShahCMAIMahalaxmi ChambersB. Desai Rd.Mumbai 400026.Tel:
23538245, Mobile:
9820045042 Navin Nair Madison PR navin@blr.madisonindia.com 91-98450-94507
Web Site = http://
Contact Details
= Navin Nair Madison PR navin@blr.madisonindia.com 91-98450-94507
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