Are workers fleeing from Punjab again for fear of lockdown?

As the whole country is facing a second wave of Corona, migrant labourers residing and working in Punjab are choosing to return to their hometowns. In this backdrop, ETV Bharat spoke to labour leaders and industrialists about the return of workers from Punjab.

Amritsar (Punjab): The second wave of Corona has started in the country after which the number of cases in the country has been steadily increasing. Night curfew has been imposed in many states of the country, while lockdown has also been imposed in many states. Industries are suffering financially due to lockdowns in many places, as a result of which migrant workers have once again started returning to their home states. What is the current situation regarding Covid in Punjab? ETV Bharat spoke to labour leaders and industrialists about the return of workers from Punjab.

Why did the migrant workers from Amritsar return home?

Amritsar: Due to the rapid spread of the second wave of Corona pandemic and increasing UK strain in cases, the Punjab Government has issued ban orders across the state.

These orders of the Punjab Government have created a fear among the migrant workers across the state. Migrant workers fear that the government may impose a lockdown again, which could put them in the same predicament as before. ETV Bharat spoke to workers returning home at Amritsar railway station. They said that they were going home only because of fear of lockdown because if lockdown started then they would be hungry again. At the same time, family and children may have problems.

Migrant workers not fleeing from Mandi Gobindgarh

Mandi Gobindgarh:Everybody knows what happened to the workers during the lockdown in Asia's largest iron mandi ... although the situation is different now. Labor leader Ram Kewal Yadav said that there was no such thing as lockdown in Punjab. As far as Mandi Gobindgarh is concerned, the industry is going on here and workers are going to work. He said that earlier the labourers had gone to their homes but after the resumption of work they have returned to their work in Mandi Gobindgarh. He said that at present no labourers were going to their homes as their work was here. Meanwhile, industrialist Amit Gambhir said that when the lockdown started earlier, the workers had once gone to their homes but now the workers have returned to work in Mandi Gobindgarh. If there is a lockdown this time, they have arranged accommodation and food for the workers.

Farmers waiting for workers at the railway station

Ludhiana: Wheat harvesting season has started in Punjab. Due to inclement weather, farmers have started distributing wheat. But like last year, this year too, farmers are facing a major labour problem. Due to the corona and lockdown, a large number of labourers from Punjab migrated to their respective states last year, which is now causing major problems to the farmers due to the non-availability of labour. In particular, farmers come to various railway stations every day in search of labour, but despite offers to pay double the price, they are unable to find labour. According to farmers, the problem of labour is so great that no one is willing to harvest wheat. The wheat is ready and due to the rainy season, they are also suffering heavy losses.

Transport work 60 per cent reduced due to labour shortage

In the Transport Nagar of Ludhiana, a large number of freight works are carried out. Not only in Punjab but all over India trucks are supplied from here. This for-profit business is now constantly losing money. One of the major reasons for this is the declining trend in labour and public transport operations.

Labourers from Jammu and Kashmir said that they have to work harder due to a shortage of labour. Jagdish Singh Jassowal, Press Secretary, Transport Association, said that the situation is very bad. Now no one wants to get into the transport business as it is constantly running at a loss. Petrol and diesel are becoming more expensive. Labour has been a big problem for them. "People don't like this job anymore so they are getting rid of it and quitting it," he said. "Once upon a time there was a lot of work and labour and now there is no work and no labour." Bihar's labourers had left out of fear as there was no government support to them at the time of corona and now he is so frightened that they don't want to return to work. The owner of Punjab Transport Carrier also said that their work is being disrupted due to labour problems.