Lockdown-An analysis of the Industry Behaviour-Infrastructure

As we run at the mid term of the lockdown, I thought of taking a relook at one big picture that came across - thousands of migrant workers and their families walking hundreds of miles to their home and the hardships they faced!! Inhuman - they said - and truly so!!

If we run an analysis of these migrant workers, we realize they are majorly into the construction sector - and unorganized sector which till date does not guarantee a decent living and earning to its millions of workers who contribute to building the organizational revenue in good times as well as nation!! Of course, there are exceptions and many industrial and construction houses have come out to support their workers, but as I said they are exceptions and far too few.

These workers fall into two categories: 1. who are engaged on long term basis and 2. who are engaged on day to day basis. Its this Category 2 who were the hit the most, but not to deny both the categories did take the hit - a bit more or a bit less.

It has also shown a trend of enterpreunerial mindset of Indian Construction Sector Organizations - while most the organizations in the Western India have openly declared their support to their workers in these times, sectors in the North, East and South have hardly been audible. May be that's one major reason why we saw the trend of the migration majorly from North towards East and South - East and South being the main contributors to this workforce strength.

While Industrial workers had the comfort of security, insurances, wages, and other support during these times, construction workers - including the daily wage earners - had hardly any such comfort.

So what could be better than walking down home with some hope of survival during the wait for good times to return- and at its worst if death do come - let it be at the midst of my near and dear ones!! Isn't that pathetic?

This has also created another scenerio - the re-start of action on ground will be a hard, tedious and slow as scepticism will remain about another lockdown and their second run with "run for life". Thereby the ramp up of economy is likely to remain a very slow process and recession a harsh reality.

The above is also a wake up call - both for the industry and the government - its time to do the right things - and frame the right rules of the game - for this category of workers - the construction workers - who by all statistics are the second largest workforce of the country after agriculture. They deserve a respectful life - for what they contribute to the nation!! A hard look at social security for these workers and their families - Its time - To bring that change - Or to enforce the change - as we may like to look at it - our own way!!