Graphic arts and packaging industry in India looking towards government for immediate revival from COVID-19 crisis

Keeping in view of the complete lockdown in the country due to COVID-19, the representatives of 13 associations in India had recently organised a meeting to assess its impact on the industry and how to address the unprecedented challenges. The 13 associations include: AIDC Technologies Association of India, Delhi; AIFMP, Delhi; All India Printing Ink Manufacturers’ Association (AIPIMA), Maharashtra; Association of Label Printers and Suppliers (ALPS), Delhi; Authentication Solution Providers’ Association (ASPA), Delhi; Federation of Corrugated Box Manufacturers (FCBM), Maharashtra; Federation of Paper Traders’ Association (FPTA), Maharashtra; Indian Flexible Packaging & Folding Carton Manufacturers Association (IFCA), Maharashtra; IPAMA, Delhi; The Institute of Packaging Machinery Manufacturers of India (IPMMI), Maharashtra; Label Manufacturers Association of India (LMAI), Mumbai; The Regional Institute of Printing Technology Alumni Association (RIPTAA), West Bengal; and Screen Printers’ Association of India (SPAI), Maharashtra.

During the discussions, the representatives of the associations had made several observations on the subject matter and taking in view all aspects of the current situation and the post-lockdown impact, it was decided that the recommendations should be conveyed to the Government of India through the concerned Ministries including PMO, which are absolutely necessary as immediate relief for reviving the industry from the current COVID-19 crisis. Some of the key recommendations include: 1. Graphic arts and packaging industry (printing, packaging, corrugation, label, screen printing, inks & consumables, authentic solutions, etc.) should be included in essential sector; 2. Extension of financial year and advance tax; 3. Liability of workforce on entrepreneurs; 4. Govt should provide quarantine facilities for migrant workers, in coordination with MSME units, for 14 days before working in factories. 5. Wages, salary, bonus, ESI and PF; 6. Machine maintenance; 7. Raw material issues and many others.