Economic Effects of Covid-19 on the Indian Carpet Industry

Alam, Mahfooz

The Indian carpet industry has great potential in the economic development of the nation. This agri-based, unorganized sector employs millions of skilled and unskilled labors and acts as a source for their livelihood. The present study provides an overview of the impact of Covid-19 on the Indian carpet industry, discusses the export performance and vulnerabilities of the workers employed, identify certain export market strategies for the overall prosperity of the carpet industry. The Indian carpet industry has to pay a heavy price in the lockdown and the condition of the carpet industry is still deplorable. The sluggish demand for carpet across developed nations, closure of the production centers followed by phased lockdowns in the country and the migration of skilled labors/weavers added to its woes. The carpet industry is experiencing a tough time and it is evident with an abrupt decline in the export volumes and values of trade. To develop a strategic policy and provide job security to the workers employed in precarious jobs is the need of the hour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Textile: The Journal of Cloth & Culture is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)