Traders offer free ration, advance salary to staff

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, March 31

Many shopkeepers and businessmen of the city have started giving groceries and other essential commodities to their workers free of cost so that they don’t quit jobs. They are also giving advance salary to the staff.

Many migrant workers had told their employers that they would leave for their states as without work they could not survive here.

Vinay Verma, a jeweller at Ghumar Mandi, said he had two non-Punjabi workers. Our showroom is lying closed.

“To keep those workers in the job, I am providing them with all necessary groceries and other essential goods. Those workers are with me for years and if they left me at this stage, my business will suffer a lot whenever curfew restrictions are relaxed,” said Vinay.

“It is my business and I will keep it running, I will also give advance salary along with grocery items to my workers. I believe if our workers leave the city at this stage, they may not return when business resumes,” said another jeweller.

A hosiery owner, Sunil Mallick of Bahadurke Road said he had five workers from UP and Bihar who were expert in various jobs. He cannot afford to lose these workers. Apart from providing ration and advance salary to the workers, he would also ensure their medical check-up to keep them fit.

“At this time, many competing businessmen will try to lure our old workers by offering them advance salaries and free ration. If any of our expert workers leaves us, we will be in trouble when curfew is lifted. We may not find the same skilled workers again,” said Sunil.

Ram, a hosiery owner on Bahadurke Road, said many workers live in rented accommodation and they were not able to pay the rent. “So we have kept them at our factory premises without charging any rent. We will keep them here and will give them free food till the time curfew is lifted. We cannot afford to lose our workforce,” said the hosiery owner.