The Hindu : Karnataka News : Worker shortage hits business activities

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Friday, May 09, 2008
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Karnataka

Karnataka

Worker shortage hits business activities

H.S. Narasimha Kumar

Many prefer election-related work as it is more rewarding

No takers for jobs under NREG Scheme
Workers get about Rs. 200 a day for campaigning

DAVANGERE: There has been a severe shortage of labour in the district following the coming elections, with hoteliers, owners of bars and restaurants, bakeries, petrol stations and civil contractors being put to hardship. Agricultural activities have also slowed down as a result.

Several workers are said to have gone to assist political candidates in their election campaigns, and according to an estimate, workers get anywhere between Rs. 150 and Rs. 200 a day for their services, apart from two meals.

Forced

Owners of several such business establishments are now forced to work themselves, or rope in their family members to assist them. While many hoteliers say they are making good profits on account of the elections, they are, however, not in a position to cater to large-scale orders.

Manjunath, who runs a hotel on Dental College road here, said there was a largestaff working in his hotel, most of whom had gone for election-related work.

This had affected business substantially. Similarly, Ayub, owner of a bar and restaurant, said he was forced to serve liquor in his bar owing to shortage of workforce.

Similarly, Sathish and Veena Keshavamurthy, both of whom run bakeries, said they had been facing worker-related problems ever since the lists of candidates were announced. Workers are reluctant to work in bakeries during this time, as they get food, drink and money during election campaigning.

Tough time

Thippanna of Harihar and Kalleshappa of Mayakonda said they had a tough time laying the groundwork for seedling and other agricultural activities.

Meanwhile, there are no takers for jobs under the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (NREGS), which has been implemented here for quite some time now. According to Davangere Zilla Panchayat officials, the percentage of workers seeking employment under the scheme in the district had come down by 46 per cent in the past one month.

Well looked after

They said people in rural areas were more involved in the elections as they were being well looked after. A worker will get Rs. 74 a day under the NREGS, while he or she gets about Rs. 200 a day for campaigning, apart from food.

The Election Commission has restricted political parties and candidates from roping in large numbers of people for canvassing, but parties have ignored the directive.

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