SHAIKH JAMALUDDIN | NT
Staff Reporter
PANAJI
The demonetisation of high-value currency notes has severely affected the migrant labourers engaged in the construction industry. The affected labourers are leaving the state to avoid getting into a tight spot because of cash crunch.
The construction workers hired on daily wages at various sites have been at the receiving end of the demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1000, which has disrupted their normal course of life.
Some of the labourers said, “Kaam nahin, daam nahi… what‘s the use of being in Goa when there is no job, no money… it is better to be with our families.”
Porvorim market near the Goa Cricket Association ground, has always been a meeting point for labourers. But of late fewer labourers are seen at the market. Likewise the situation appears to be same in Panaji, especially around Hotel Deewar and Gouveia building which are crowed by labourers.
Goa has been an El Dorado for migrant labourers who get work in construction, fishing, mining, carpentry and other industries.
Menial jobs usually hit the highest point in November and December when tourism season is at its peak and Goans give new look to their houses by engaging the outside labourers.
Workers hailing from West Bengal, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Orissa, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh come to the state during this period making a fast buck for some months.
However, after Prime Minister Narendra Modi demonetised Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes a large number of labourers are hurriedly going back to their native states avoiding facing serious cash crunch.
However, those labourers who have permanent jobs with construction companies and drawing their wages on monthly basis are staying back.
“We are unfortunate and demonetisation has ruined our lives as many construction companies are paying us in the demonetised notes, which are not accepted by the people. We are also paid in new currency note of Rs 2000, which too is not accepted. How to live now? Instead of facing these difficulties many have left their jobs and are going back to their native states,” a labourer said.
The labourers get raw deal from bus conductors while paying the fare.
It must be noted here that the labourers engaged in the fishing industry are still holding on to their jobs as trawler owners hand out cash to them for daily expenses.