Thousands of workers in industries await vaccination

Aurangabad, May 22:

The government has repeatedly said that the industrial cycle should continue. However, the industrialists and thousands of workers are left without vaccination. The industrialists said that while the central and state governments are getting GST of crores of rupees from more than 3,500 small and large enterprises in Waluj, nearly 1 lakh workers are deprived of vaccines.

The biggest impact of the lockdown this year has been on the industrial sector. Aurangabad has more than 3,500 small and large enterprises. Although most of the industries are small, they depend on big industries. More than 1 lakh workers depend on these industries. Most of these industries have been in operation since March. However, entrepreneurs are struggling to continue their businesses. The industries here generate GST of nearly Rs 1,500 crore to the central government every year, but the health of the workers in the industries that pay the highest GST is still compromised. In the first phase of vaccination health, revenue, police and senior citizens were given priority for vaccination. However, workers in the industrial estates on which many families depend have not yet been vaccinated. Even today, most of the workers in MIDC are deprived of vaccines.

Workers should be vaccinated on priority

Vaccination is underway as per government regulations. Senior citizens are currently being vaccinated. The family whose livelihood depends on the industry-business, those workers must be given priority for vaccination. Recently, industrial associations had held vaccination camps for workers and industrialists. However, they proved insufficient. We have already made a demand for organizing separate vaccination camps in industrial area. But no decision has been made yet. The industrial sector is the highest revenue generating sector, hence the government must consider vaccinating workers and industrialists, said Massia president Abhay Hanchanal.

Vaccination must for everybody

Many young entrepreneurs and workers in the industrial estate have fallen victim to corona. Therefore, the administration should vaccinate everybody without any age requirement. Most of the industries have already asked the administration to start separate vaccination camps for industrial workers, but we have not received positive response, said an industrialist on anonymity.