No help from governments, industry scouts for labour

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, July 7

The local industry is sore over policies of the Centre as well as the state government, which seem to be in no mood to extend a helping hand to former in these difficult times.

Though trying hard to make up for losses incurred during the lockdown, the industry is arranging labour on its own. But as far as the governments are concerned, it is worried only about its vote bank, feel industrialists.

Talking to The Tribune, the president of the Hand-tool Association said here today that the industry was running units with only about 50 per cent labourers.

“Industrialists, who have got the orders, are suffering due to shortage of labour. Some of them are getting workers from places such as Uttarakhand and Rajasthan by paying hefty taxi fares. The governments are not bothered to bring back the workers, who were sent to their native places in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. As if this was not enough, the governments in their states have assured them free ration till November. When they will be getting free ration, why would they return. And with these strange policies of the governments to save the vote bank, the industry is paying the price,” Ralhan said.

The industrialists feel that they should switch over to machines that would require less labour. At the same time, it is not that easy as huge investments would be needed for the same.

Sanjiv Jain, a garment manufacturer, said he wished to replace labourers with imported machines but that would be an expensive task of about Rs 1 crore.

“We all are going through bad a bad phase due to Covid, hence taking loans and putting in our savings to get the machines is not an advisable option. We can add machines once the businesses get on track but when there is no labour, how can we execute orders to streamline things? Even when we are going through the crisis, the governments are providing any help,” he said.

“Another problem being faced by the industry is that labourers, who have still not returned to their native places, have started “blackmailing” their employers. They want wages to be increased and demand high rates if they are asked to make samples, etc, (in the garment sector). We have no choice but to bow to the pressure tactics of the labour else, they will also leave,” complained another Industrialist from the Sunder Nagar area.

Relax norms for factory workers, Centre urged

The Chamber of Industrial and Commercial Undertakings (CICU) has expressed concern over the new guidelines issued by the Central Government on labourers returning from their native places. Members said the government had issued guidelines that those entering the state from other states would be quarantined for 14 days. In these conditions, it would be difficult for the industry to operate.

The industry has suffered huge losses during the lockdown, now it’s resuming work. Almost 40-50 per cent labourers are available. It is not viable to operate with less manpower. Though only a few trains are operating, industries are calling labourers from their places by sending buses and taxis for them.

The CICU has requested the Centre to relax the norms for factory workers to help save the industry.

Rue govt’s apathy

Traders feel that they should switch over to machines that would require less labour. At the same time, it is not that easy as huge investments would be needed for the same. They feel that the governments are worried only about its vote bank.