Karnataka - Bangalore   

Polls hit construction industry

BANGALORE: The construction industry, already reeling under pressure from a steep rise in cost of construction materials, is grappling with another problem thrown up by the coming elections. The industry, which is heavily dependent on migrant labour, has been witnessing a steady shortfall of manpower as the labourer are moving back to their respective villages to participate in campaigning.

Apart from a large number of labourers from Bihar and West Bengal, the construction industry in Bangalore depends upon the labour from Gulbarga, Raichur, Bagalkot, Bijapur and Chamarajanagar districts who come to Bangalore in search of employment.

“Though elections are being held in three phases, we are already facing acute shortage of labour as a large contingent from Gulbarga and Raichur have already left Bangalore for their respective villages,” D. Kempanna, general secretary, Karnataka State Contractors’ Association (KSCA), told The Hindu. “Most of these labourers have informed us that they are going to their villages for campaigning, and will not be available for a couple of weeks,” he added.

While a construction labour involved in concrete works earns up to Rs. 160 after a long and hard day at the site, he earns between Rs. 250 and Rs. 300 a day if he participates in campaigning during elections. “The day’s earning could go up depending on the candidate,” said Mr. Kempanna. He said the developers and contractors are not expecting the labourers to return immediately after the elections as they will remain in their villages for at least one more week.

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