SME Times is powered by   
Search News
Just in:   • Corporate lending grows at fastest pace in Q1: BOK  • Adani Ports secures 10-year marine services for Argentina's 1st LNG export to India  • Indian auto industry sees best-ever May retail sales at over 25.3 lakh units  • Sensex, Nifty open 1 pc lower amid West Asia tensions, weak global cues  • India, Venezuela discuss deeper energy ties amid crude supply concerns 
Last updated: 27 Sep, 2014  

Handicrafts.9.thmb.jpg Handicraft sector sees job losses due to poor overseas demand

Handicraft.9.jpg
   Top Stories
» Sensex, Nifty open 1 pc lower amid West Asia tensions, weak global cues
» India clocks robust 7.7 pc GDP growth in 2025-26, Q4 growth at 7.8 pc
» RBI keeps repo rate unchanged at 5.25 pc, maintains ‘Neutral’ stance
» Crude oil prices fall over 1 pc as ceasefire hopes ease West Asia concerns
» Forced labour import curbs: US proposes up to 12.5 pc tariff on 60 countries, including India
Namrata Kath Hazarika | 04 Jul, 2012
India's handicraft sector has witnessed severe job losses due to the fall in orders from the overseas markets, said the Industry.

"At this point in time, there is a lack of work in the industry so in that case there will be joblosses. There is a labour shortage in the sector. The number of artisans is reducing day by day," said Raj Kumar Malhotra, Chairman, Asian Handicrafts.

The government has to provide support that can help the sector to grow and create employment in the country, he added.

He also said that the government has provided 7 percent duty scrip on handicrafts items which is helping the sector but due to the lack of demand, work and labour shortage, the sector is facing challenges.

Arvind Vadhera, Chairman, Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) said that there has been a 30 percent fall in jobs in the sector in the last two years. "The handicrafts sector is unable to get fresh artisans," he added.

"The workers who has been doing the polishing, welding, etc., are not keen to take up artisan jobs at the moment. They think that they can find better jobs elsewhere. However, the fresh artisans are difficult to find," he pointed out.

The artisans are reluctant to take up handicraft works. They are more interested in the jobs that pay better wages, Vadhera added.

"The old artisans are also not showing interest as well. In fact, they are also not interested to teach their children the artistic works. The industry is at the moment facing shortage of skilled labour," he told SME Times.

Further Vadhera mentioned, "The handicraft sector usually get Christmas based orders. Those orders have already come into the country by now. We are now looking for the production for those orders."

The shortage of skilled labour is creating trouble in fulfilling the orders. But, we are trying to manage, he said.

The council expects handicraft exports to touch USD 3.2 billion in the current fiscal compared to USD 2.75 billion in the previous year.
 
Print the Page Add to Favorite
 
Share this on :
 

Please comment on this story:
 
Subject :
Message:
(Maximum 1500 characters)  Characters left 1500
Your name:
 

 
  Customs Exchange Rates
Currency Import Export
US Dollar
₹94.2
₹92.5
UK Pound
₹128.85
₹124.8
Euro
₹112.2
₹108.45
Japanese Yen ₹59.85 ₹58
As on 06 May, 2026
  Daily Poll
What is the biggest war impact on MSMEs?
 Export Disruption
 Raw Material Spike
 Freight Cost Surge
 Payment Delays
 Currency Volatility
 All
  Commented Stories
 
 
About Us  |   Advertise with Us  
  Useful Links  |   Terms and Conditions  |   Disclaimer  |   Contact Us  
Follow Us : Facebook Twitter