Migrant labourers declare extended holiday in Ludhiana

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, October 16

Ludhiana, the industrial city of Punjab, is likely to have a prolonged seasonal labour crisis this year as almost one-third of the industrial labourers, mostly migrants, are demanding a two-week-long leave to celebrate the ‘Chhath’ festival, which was earlier a one-week affair.

Labourers have made it amply clear that this time they want a leave for almost two weeks to celebrate both festivals — Diwali on November 7 and ‘Chhath’ on November 13. Earlier, they used to take leave for only ‘Chhath’ — a festival that is particularly celebrated in the eastern Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand and Bihar, said Ludhiana-based industrialists. Migrant labourers are almost one-third of the total workforce of the industrial city.

“Earlier, they used to stay back till Diwali to get gifts. We try to stop them but they refuse. If they are forced to stay back, they quit the job,” Federation of Punjab Small Industries Association (FOPSIA) president Badish Jindal said. According to the industry, migrant labourers have declared holiday from early November.

The labour crunch during this period is usual and most of the industries make advance preparations to avoid loss of the business, he said. “We ask them much in advance to do overtime. Despite that, we suffer production losses,” he added.

Avtar Singh Bhogal of Bhogalsons, a manufacturer of bicycle parts, said 25% of the labourers have already purchased railway tickets. “We have asked them to put extra time so that our production is not affected. Still, we bear losses,” he said.

In some cases, industrialists are successful in convincing workers for a short trip. Some are given incentives like money in advance, bicycles and mobile phones. But, a majority of workforce insists on extended leave, the industrialists said. Almost all trains heading towards these three states witness huge rush and the government arranges special trains almost every year.

Situation in the organised sector is better as workers in these units stay back to avail handsome Diwali bonus, they said.

‘Chhat Puja’ is a Hindu festival, dedicated to the Lord Surya and ‘Chhathi Maiya’ (known to be the sister of Surya). This festival is also celebrated in Nepal, which is also a major source of labourers. Ludhiana is one of the biggest municipal corporations of Punjab and a key industrial city in the northern region. It is famous for manufacturing of garments and bicycles where migrant workers are employed in a large number.