The situation has led to an impasse between the unions and the owners of farms.
Chandigarh:
The mass exodus of migrant workers from Punjab has led to a major challenge for farm owners – dependence on local workers during the paddy planting season and higher wage demands.
The situation has led to an impasse between workers’ associations and state farmers.
While the owners of farms claim that local workers are taking advantage of the situation, workers say their wages were already much lower.
According to the owners of the farm, migrant workers charge Rs 3000 – Rs 4000 to sow per acre of paddy, while local workers ask Rs 7000 – Rs 9000 per acre.
Many state panchayats have adopted a resolution to fix workers’ wages and stop their movement to other villages.
“Farmers suffer losses in previous season’s produce. Now that migrant workers are gone, there is a labor shortage. Migrants were more efficient and charged lower wages,” said Sandeep Singh, a member of Panchayat, in the village of Ralla, in the district of Mansa.
“Local workers demand between 7,000 and 9,000. Therefore, we passed a resolution via Gram Sabha and fixed their wages at 3,000 with refreshment,” he added.
Such resolutions by Panchayat members have led to protests from the state union.
Niami Singh, who works in the field, says the new resolution of the panchayat is unfair.
“I have been working as a farm worker for 30 years. In the absence of migrant workers, we felt our incomes could improve, but fixing our wages is very unfortunate. I have a family of six and 3000 per acre n ‘ is not enough, “Niami Singh told GalacticGaming.
However, officials say the administration is unaware of such a resolution.
The director of the State Rural Development Department, DPS Kharbanda, said that steps will be taken to receive any complaints about it.
“Every Indian is equal and should not be discriminated against in wages. We will rescind these resolutions if they are brought to our attention,” said Mr. Kharbanda.
“Over the past two months, we have seen how farmers and workers during this pandemic have been lagging behind, either due to hunger or an unfavorable situation. But these conflicts must be checked for ensure that they do not disrupt the social fabric in rural areas. “, he added.
