Migrant labour It has suddenly dawned on the administrations in the states, Centre the magnitude of migrant work force. Soon awareness will be realized as to how dependent we can be on migrant workers. The labour day pays verbal tribute to their contributions in moving the wheels of progress and development, It endeavors to recognize the dignity of such labour and treat them with respect and honour. The observation or celebration of Labour Day has had not much effect on their lives or their standard of living .The labour in industries has some say, bargaining power due to Union presence. The agriculture , daily and casual labourers are not impacted much.. The minimum wages are enforced by law , but they are forced to accept at much below the prevailing market rates. The pathetic conditions of their living conditions, water, sanitation, electricity, access to health, education are of sub human conditions. The contractors exploit them and often do not pay the minimum wages in time. Hence it must be incumbent on the employers compulsorily to provide basic living conditions in tune with human dignity and such basic living conditions must be rigorously enforced by labour departments with provision for heavy penalties for violators.
In Goa too, the place is considered heaven for migrants pouring from Maharashtra, Karnataka,, Orissa, Bihar, Rajasthan etc .The migrants are absorbed in Road construction, railway lines and maintenance laying of service lines, electricity, water, telephone seasonal agriculture ,sewage, garbage , etc by municipalities. Many have comparably decent accommodation with reasonably good facilities. But it is way expensive for expenditure on food alone for their earnings. The migrants are named as Ghantis, a derogatory term usually assigned to those descending from from Ghats .It now encompasses all irrespective from place of origin .There is a huge gap of demand and supply in the state .They find openings in fishing industry, retail trade like fish, vegetables, fruits, street food, house maids etc. There is shortage of fitters , electricians, masons, cooks and waiters in hotel industry, tourism related activities, carpenters, bakers, technicians, tailors. Goans are slowly moving away from these traditional occupations and due too outer migrations, careers at sea, and children being educated are looking for white colored jobs ,Hence, there is absolute shortage of labour. Painting, plastering, helpers in buildings etc are contracted to migrants. The construction of bridges in the State , has no skilled labour available at all The politicians have also taken advantage of vote banks and have allowed mushrooming of legalized shanties on Communidade land. They are easily provided with ration, Aadhhar .voting, health cards , free health facilities and care ,assuring them of permanent resident status. Many are also being given Govt land to build houses too. The migrant labour is exploiting the situation to the hilt. The roof carpenters, masons, , , helpers, painters, electrician, plumbers charge anything between Rs 800 to Rs 1000 per day of working between 5/6 hrs like office goers . Fruit pickers charge as per contracts between Rs 1000 to R1500 FOR 2 hrs work and also demand fruits. Coconut pluckers charge Rs 100 per tree, Agriculture labour too charges Rs 500= to Rs800 =perday of less than eight hours. They demand refreshments too, part of our Goan hospitality custom . Backers, carpenters, tailors, sausage productions have taken over by migrants , Shops dealing with electric goods, medicines are monopolized by migrants and also contract labour The Goans are aghast at being exploited by these migrants and there is no alternative, as many of our traditional workers have given up .There is resentment at this exploitative situation, but there is no way out. This is the price of development the natives are forced to endure, as politicians pander to vote banks politics. Many a Goan is willing to do such manual work outside at a sacrifice to comfort and family life, simply because the hard work is well compensated The migrant have realized their bargaining power and are not willing even to return back , in spite of lack of employment and lower wages in their own states. Their dignity is restored in their home towns with Govt. providing attractive, subsidized schemes to hold them back. It may ease the pressure of migrant population but how industry will tide over labour shortages is to be seen. Govt of India has been deaf and dumb to the basic human needs of migrants and has ignored, overlooked such reality in the past. The migrants in their demands , violent agitations to go back at all costs has upset Govt, thinking that providing them with food and shelter is all that is needed to satisfy them. Covid 19 has thrown up serious challenges to the planners, captains of industries etc. There may glut in white colour jobs, who are also paid a pittance and subsistence wages, Nelson Lopes, Chinch