Synopsis India's manufacturing is roughly equal to the combined manufacturing of Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and Philippines, the principal manufacturing economies in South East Asia, and just over five-fold the combined manufacturing of Bangladesh and Pakistan. iStock The onset of COVID-19 pandemic has put the spotlight on workplaces as potential infection hot spots that require substantive change to work together productively in a safe and hygienic manner. Manufacturing in India particularly in Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) is often associated with lower productivity, quality, occupational health and safety and environmental performance. The window of opportunity for second best is in constant decline, particularly in current time with uncertain and stagnating markets due to COVID-19 pandemic and the associated economic downturn.