Welfare schemes, rural jobs fuel labour crisis: Execs

A confluence of pandemic-spurred behavioural changes, availability of various welfare schemes, and a sudden spurt in infrastructure projects has led to a decline in labour migration, resulting in a shortage of workers across industries, according to industry executives and HR experts.

- JADEN MATHEW PAUL & AMRITHA PILLAY

The executives echoed the view of Chairman and Managing Director of Larsen & Toubro (L&T), SN Subrahmanyan, who recently triggered a row over his remarks at a Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) event on relocation and job migration. "(Labourers) don't want to move from rural places preferring comfort," he was quoted as saying in a media report. Days after his comment, Supreme Court Judge B R Gavai said, "Unfortunately, because of freebies, like Ladki Bahin' and other schemes, declared during election time, people are not willing to work." The apex court was hearing a matter concerning the right to shelter of homeless persons in urban areas.