Ggn migrant labourers have no money to send back home

Already facing huge difficulties in raising enough money for themselves and their families, the migrant labourers are now finding it even more challenging to have enough money due to demonetisation of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. 

A major complaint that is being raised by migrant  labourers of the Millennium City is that due to the demonetisation drive, their earnings have come down drastically and their contractors are not paying them properly.  

The labourers further added that even though they realise that they may be cheated by the contractors on the pretext of paying them less, they do not have enough options as opportunities of finding work elsewhere has also declined. 

According to the labourers, the adverse effects of reduced earnings is not only being faced by them but also their families back home who are dependent upon their incomes. 

Citing more difficulties, the labourers add that there are also situations where they are deliberately being given the old notes by their contractors.

Currently working in the construction of  Sikanderpur underpass at the posh Golf Course Road, Panna Lal from Satna, Madhya Pradesh, says: “We are being given Rs 200 per week by our contractor. Even though we have complained that it is a very meagre amount, we have been told to wait till January 1, 2017, till things become normal.”

Lal further adds: “Normally, I work for around 4 months, accrue a certain amount and go back to my village. I have a large family and income earned here in Gurugram helps us to sustain. At present, I fear that there won’t be enough income that will be saved for my family.”

Radhey Shyam, who hails from Jhansi, and works as a mason, adds: “I am not employed with any major infrastructural firm. I, therefore, have to come to the labour chowk every day and hope that I am given some work. For three weeks, there has been just no work. There was a situation where I was provided old notes. It would have added to my woes and it would be problematic for me.”

Shyam added that even though he had a Jan Dhan bank account, there was just not enough money for him to transfer it back home.