Migrant exodus: Workmen shortage hits trade in Delhi
BUSINESS OWNERS SAY THAT WITH A LARGE CHUNK OF WORKFORCE GONE, THE LOCKDOWNHIT BUSINESSES THAT WERE SLOWLY PICKING UP HAVE BEEN ADVERSELY AFFECTED
nNEWDELHI: With a large number of migrant workers returning to their hometowns amid the ongoing nationwide lockdown, a massive workforce shortage has hit the operations in industrial, transport and other sectors, which reopened after an almost two-month hiatus, according to various trade associations.
Traders’ bodies estimate that nearly 60-70% of the labour force employed in Delhi left the city during the lockdown imposed to halt the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
The Delhi government is likely to conduct a study on how many migrants have left the Capital and the impact of their exodus on different sectors. The workers who have returned to their hometowns are from both skilled and unskilled sectors and include those engaged as machine operators in factories, loaders, drivers, housekeeping staff, as well as those involved in packaging, construction workers, hand-embroidery workers, salespersons and security guards, among others.
Business owners from the industrial, wholesale and retail, and transport sectors, and those who run small eateries and restaurants say that with a large chunk of workforce gone, the lockdown-hit business that was slowly picking up has been adversely affected. “Over 70% of the total workforce has already left the city. Local workers and those who come from neighbouring NCR towns such as Sonepat, Ghaziabad, Ballabhgarh, and Noida account for just about 20% of the total workforce. Of the local workforce, many are facing movement issues given the restrictions on state borders and only 8-10% of the workforce has been able to rejoin work in the last few weeks. As a result, compared to pre-lockdown days, only 5-7% of the usual business activity has taken place given that there is already very low demand and supply,” Praveen Khandelwal, general secretary, Confederation of All India Traders, said.
“We have written to the Union Ministry of Home Affairs to look into the impact of the workers’ exodus on the economy and find ways to stabilise it,” he said.
According to the data shared by the Delhi government, nearly three lakh migrant workers, who were stranded in the city after the nationwide lockdown came into force on March 25, have left Delhi in over 250 Shramik Special trains. According to government officials, at least 4.5 lakh people have requested the state government to send them back to their home towns and more trains are scheduled to leave Delhi in the next week.
Delhi has not seen such a largescale exodus of migrant workers in the last few decades. Soon after the lockdown was announced, a large number of migrant workers had started walking towards the city borders and the bus terminals to go back to their home states — mostly Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, and Odisha, among others. While several workers set out on foot, undertaking long, arduous journeys over several hundred kilometres, the Central and state governments later made arrangements to ferry workers home in the special trains.
Brajesh Goyal, the convener of the traders and industries wing of the Aam Aadmi Party, confirmed that about 60%-70% of the total workforce has left the city. “The situation is becoming tough. Several migrants who remain in the city will also leave soon. We have been encouraging traders to ensure proper facilities for the available workers who are already demanding higher wages. The government is planning to set up a committee to address these issues.”
A Delhi government spokesperson said the workers’ exodus will adversely impact the economy, and the government will soon conduct an assessment for the same.
“The process of migration is continuing. It will take a while to assess the impact on different sectors. The government will be undertaking a study in the matter,” the spokesperson said.