May 17: The Retailers Association of India (RAI) has sought the government’s support in helping the retail industry to fight the disruptions that have been caused by the deadly second wave of Covid-19.
Sharing their concerns, the retailers have expressed their fear that the extended lockdown across India is making it difficult for them to survive amid the crisis. This will result in job losses across the sector.
RAI wants the government to prioritise vaccination of the last mile workers in the retail industry other than the financial package. Being an independent body of the country, the Retailers Association of India is a body that represents the country’s traders.
Sharing about the current state of the retail industry, Kumar Rajagopalan, RAI chief executive officer said, “The Retailers Association of India believes that the two most important and immediate steps that can prevent this industry from collapsing are to prioritise vaccination of the last mile workers and to urgently provide financial support measures.”
Further, he said, “Vaccinating the LMWs on priority is extremely important to curb the spread of the virus and safeguarding the interests of citizens. the retail industry in India has been in a perpetual paradox ever since the first set of restrictions began last year in March 2020. The businesses and the workforce in retail need to be cushioned by the government or the local authorities to ease off their hardships.”
