Migrant Worker Exodus Raises Fears in Industrial India

Industrialists in Ludhiana and Jalandhar cities, located in Indias Punjab state are facing the increasing departure of migrants.

These skilled and semi-skilled workers fled from Punjab after accusing the state's police of failing to provide them with security after ethnic clashes.

Reports say Ludhiana, the commercial hub of the state, faces industry losses of over 20 billion rupees following after recent incidents of violence. The exodus of migrant workers from Bihar and Uttar Pradesh states has further fuelled fears, particularly in the hosiery industry.

[Vinod Thapar, Ludhiana Knitwear and Hosiery Industry Association]:
"This industry will incur huge losses. Migrant laborers feel insecure here. We are making a textile park here and we have kept provisions from workers as well."

The 12,000 big and small hosiery units in Ludhiana city rely heavily on migrant labor. The hosiery industry employs 350,000 workers, with an annual turnover of about 250 million rupees.

Other sectors are also affected.

[D S Chawla, United Cycle and Parts Manufacturers' Association]:
"The effect is already visible. From factories, laborers are calling us and saying that they are not safe here. I want to appeal to the Punjab government that if they want to see flourishing Punjab then they should keep the migrant laborers like brothers here."

About 2.5 million families depend on cycle industry, which employs around 500,000 people. Chawla says that just five percent of laborers are Punjab state residents.

Hundreds of laborers blocked the highway and burnt vehicles last week. The workers were angered by an official local police refusal to register a laborers complaint about being gang robbed.

[Anil Kumar, Migrant Laborer]:
"There is violence and there is no security. We are fleeing from here with our families as we are not safe. We don't think so that we will return back here."

A curfew is in place since clashes between two religious groups added to migrant fears.

Cars and trucks were burnt, and stones were pelted at the police who appeared on the scene. Police resorted to firing tear gas to disperse the angry group, while the protests continued for more than two hours.

About 20 laborers are in detention over the violence.

Category:

News & Politics

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• NTD
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• Migration
• India
• North India
• Labors
• Social order
• Punjab state
• Ethnic clashes
• Bihar
• Uttar
• Religions
• Conflict
• Protest