Only 20% employees reported to work on Monday: Trade bodies

They blame lack of transport, poor vaccination coverage for poor turnout

Non-availability of public transport and poor vaccination coverage resulted in only around 20% of employees in micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Bengaluru turning up to work on the first day of resumption of business after the partial unlock kicked in on Monday. Although the Karnataka government had permitted factories and manufacturing units to operate with a 50% workforce, most units could only get 15% to 20% workers to the premises. Kassia President K.B. Arasappa told The Hindu, “Most employees could not reach work because they did not have their own conveyance. Some portion of the workers who came today were not vaccinated. They had to be sent back adhering to safety guidelines. Our member companies are trying to vaccinate their employees but they are not getting enough vaccine from the government.