1 Lakh Job Losses In Pvt Sector Since August 5

According to a preliminary assessment by Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries (KCCI), tourism and information technology sectors have been worst hit due to the restrictions, shutdown and communication blockade imposed after August 5.
“As per our estimates more than one lakh job losses have been reported in the last almost three months,” KCCI president, Sheikh Ashiq told DH. The tourism sector, which employs close to five lakh people, has been the worst affected as it is service-oriented. “In the tourism sector, close to 50,000 job cuts have been reported so far. The number may go up, if the situation doesn’t improve. “Nearly 80% of 1,100 hotels in the Valley have remained closed for almost three months now,” Ashiq said. “There are around 300 restaurants, 900 houseboats, 600 shikaras (boats) and 5,000 tourist cabs, which were directly dependent on tourism. All of them are staring at a dark future. Besides tourism, people working in the information technology sector and other private offices have been laid off,” the KCCI president added. Nearly 3,000 boys working in different courier services are also sitting idle as all outlets have not functioned since August 5. Due to the snapping of internet services, all the e-commerce companies have stopped delivering products to the valley.