Fabric industry urges public to be respectful during these times of crisis

Monday, 12 October 2020 00:20 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The Fabric and Apparel Accessory Manufactures’ Association (FAAMA), in a statement on issues connected to the discovery of a COVID-19 cluster within the Brandix Ltd. apparel factory in Minuwangoda, has urged the public to be respectful during these times of crisis.

Following is the full statement issued by FAAMA President Pubudu De Silva and Secretary Dhananjaya Rajapaksha.

On 4 October, a Brandix employee from a facility in Minuwangoda was confirmed positive after she was subjected to a PCR test. Based on this finding, as a responsible corporate entity Brandix engaged with the relevant authorities to conduct PCR tests for the entire workforce and their immediate families. Unfortunately, despite these efforts, there was a significant rise in COVID-19 positive cases in Sri Lanka.

This is an entirely unfortunate incident, as no company or industry will intentionally put their workforce or the members of the general public at risk. Brandix is a very significant contributor to the Sri Lankan apparel and textile industry. The apparel sector is one of the country’s largest exporting arms, generating an income of over $ 5 billion a year while providing employment opportunities for around one million Sri Lankans. The sector has always been recognised globally by leading brands as an industry that complies with global standards in social, environmental and governmental or international regulations. This track record has given prominence to Sri Lanka on the global platform. The Industry is fervently committed to continue complying with these standards in the future.

As a nation, we owe much to the apparel and textile sector workers, who even during the height of the pandemic, have discharged their duties for Sri Lanka, to bring in much-needed foreign exchange in to the country. They have also manufactured Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), such as masks and medical gowns for our very own healthcare workers and armed forces. The apparel and textile industry also stepped-up during the peak of COVID-19 by donating funds, equipment and lending certain facilities to be used as quarantine centres by the Government. At this time of crisis while wishing all affected parties a speedy recovery, FAAMA urges the public to be empathetic and respectful towards all families affected by this situation. Furthermore, we urge the general public to work together with the relevant authorities as well as to be responsible in dealing with social media to protect the image of our industry and country during these trying times. Let’s stand together as one nation and pull through this with dignity and respect for one another.

The Fabric and Apparel Accessory Manufacturers Association (FAAMA) is a key stakeholder in the apparel industry, representing over thirty leading fabric, apparel and accessory manufacturers in the country. It was inaugurated on 15 September 2003 to promote and foster the interests of the fabric and accessory manufacturers in Sri Lanka.