Rajasthan: With migrant workers back home, local labourers demand more wages

JAIPUR: The departure of labourers has affected the functioning of industries in Vishwakarma Industrial Area (VKI) in Jaipur. Due to shortage of workers, the local labourers are demanding more money for the work. The problem is so acute that industries are finding it difficult to get labourers for simple loading and unloading job.
Earlier, these labourers were taking Rs 250 to Rs 400 per day. But now, they are demanding Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per day for loading and unloading the commodities. TOI on Thursday spoke to various labourers, industry and factory owners at VKI which are mainly involved in the production of pulses and edible oil.
“We are left with almost negligible labourers for loading and unloading of our goods. Earlier, labour cost was Rs 250 to Rs 400 per day for loading and unloading work, but it has now increased to Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 per day,” said Sitaram Agarwal, an industrialist and president of Rajasthan Steel Chamber, on Thursday. He added that labourers from Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are hard working and many of them were on pay rolls in various factories and industries. “Now, we are facing acute shortage of labourers engaged in the production of goods and loading and unloading of material,” said Arun Agarwal, executive president of Federation of Rajasthan Trade and Industry (FORTI).
However, labourers said that they were not getting their salaries on time which is the reason why they are looking to return to their native places.
“Industries remained closed almost for a month since lockdown. Now, we are planning to move and return to our native places,” said Purab Kumar, a labourer working at a VKI-based factory involved into polishing of pulses.
Increased wages of the labourers has also affected the Muhana Mandi, the biggest wholesale market of fruits and vegetables. “We are into loading and unloading on our own since labourers are asking for Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 per day for the job, said Pappu Lal Prajapat, a wholesale dealer of fruits and vegetables.