When the government announced GST 2.0, many of us in the MSME sector were hopeful. We expected relief from some of the most pressing issues — especially the tax on job work and labour charges that has been eating into our margins for years. Unfortunately, the announcement has dashed those hopes. The government has not reduced the GST rate on labour charges, and for small businesses like mine, this remains a serious blow.
A Personal Story: How Job Work Tax Turned My Tea Export into a Loss
I run a small export unit dealing in tea shipments. Recently, I secured an order that required specialized small packaging — a service I had to outsource to a job worker. The packaging was done well, but when I received the job work bill with GST added, the costs shot up dramatically.
When I calculated the final export invoice, I realised something shocking: the shipment had become a loss-making deal. Despite all my efforts to control costs, the GST on labour charges erased my margin.
This is not just my story. Thousands of MSMEs across India face the same challenge every day — in textiles, engineering, auto components, leather, food processing, and countless other sectors. The GST on job work is acting like a hidden tax that punishes small exporters who rely on outsourced labour.
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Why Job Work Matters So Much to MSMEs
For MSMEs, job work (outsourced processing) is not optional — it is essential.
- Small factories often do not have all facilities in-house.
- Many exporters rely on specialized service providers for packaging, finishing, embroidery, polishing, machining, or other steps.
- Job work allows MSMEs to stay flexible, reduce overhead costs, and fulfill diverse orders.
But when a 12% GST (earlier 18%) is added to job work bills, the burden is simply too heavy.
The Ripple Effect on MSME Exporters
- Margins Shrink to Zero
Export markets are extremely price-sensitive. Even a 2–3% cost increase can make Indian products uncompetitive. A 12% GST on job work can be the difference between profit and loss. - Liquidity Crunch
Exporters pay job work GST upfront and then wait endlessly to claim Input Tax Credit (ITC). Refund delays trap working capital, which is already scarce for MSMEs. - Unfair Disadvantage in Global Trade
Competing countries do not burden their small exporters with similar taxes on outsourced labour. This puts Indian MSMEs at a clear disadvantage. - Encouragement of Informality
Many small units avoid formal job work billing altogether, preferring informal arrangements to escape GST. This undermines transparency and makes them ineligible for formal credit or export incentives.
GST 2.0: Missed Opportunity for Relief
The GST Council’s decision not to cut labour charges tax is seen as a missed opportunity. MSME associations, particularly in textile hubs like Tiruppur and engineering clusters like Coimbatore, have long demanded a reduction of job work GST to 5% or even nil.
Instead, GST 2.0 has focused on rate rationalisation in other areas, leaving this core pain point unresolved. For exporters like me, it feels like the government has once again overlooked the reality on the ground.
What MSMEs Need from Policy Makers
If India wants to strengthen its position as a global manufacturing and export hub, GST 2.0 must go further. Here are three urgent steps:
- Reduce GST on Job Work to 5% or Nil
A lower rate will immediately improve MSME competitiveness in exports. - Faster ITC Refunds for Exporters
Automatic and time-bound refunds of job work GST must be introduced, so exporters don’t suffer from blocked working capital. - Simplify Compliance
MSMEs should not drown in paperwork. Simplified filing for job work and pre-filled returns can ease compliance stress.
Conclusion: My Tea Export Loss Reflects a Larger Problem
When my tea shipment turned into a loss due to GST on packaging job work, I realised this was not just about one order. It’s a systemic issue affecting millions of MSMEs.
Every day, entrepreneurs like me take risks, find buyers abroad, and try to keep India’s export engine running. But when the tax system itself penalises small exporters, it discourages growth and innovation.
If GST 2.0 is truly meant to be a reform for the future, the government must listen to MSME voices. Reducing the job work tax would not just save shipments like mine — it would save thousands of small businesses from shutting shop and would strengthen India’s standing in global trade
