On June 5, the Governor of Nagaland, RN Ravi expressed concern over the 'near halt' of construction activities during a review of work progress of projects undertaken by the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation (NHIDCL) in the state.
Flight of labour force, both skilled and unskilled, from the state due to challenges associated with the COVID-19 pandemic was attributed as the primary reason behind the virtual cessation of works, according to a update by the official Twitter handle of Raj Bhavan, Kohima. The Governor, accordingly, advised the NHIDCL to explore labour force availability within the state, it added.
It comes at the heels of an unusual advertisement adorning the local daily newspapers recently inviting ‘skilled and unskilled labourers’ for construction (bridge) works in Kohima. Such workforces are usually routed internally in the state, and at least not through an open advertisement in the newspaper.
The two episodes, in effect, amply illustrate the challenges that lie ahead due to the steady departure of migrant workers to their respective states due to ongoing COVID-19 crisis, particularly in the construction sector.
The movement of migrants, however, is not restricted to the state alone. All across India, thousands of migrant workers, particularly those in the informal sector, are returning in droves to their home states from big cities or town. This phenomenon of ‘reverse’ or ‘return’ migration is described by International Organisation for Migration in the context of internal migration as “the movement of persons returning to their place of habitual residence after having moved away from it.”
Many stranded citizens from Nagaland, likewise, are also returning to the state. The State Chief Secretary informed last month informed that over 18,000 people from Nagaland have registered themselves with the state government's portal to return to their homes. Many are designated as working professionals.
A total of 18985, likewise, applied for the one-time assistance provided by the Nagaland government to those opting to state back at their present locations according to official data. Many might change their mind afterwards if the current crisis prolongs.
The policymakers in the state, apart from the immediate health challenges, are confronted with two immediate predicaments: filling the vacuum left by departing workforce, and conversely, the question of gainful employment for the returnees.
A semblance of policy measure was announced on June 7, when a State’s Spokesperson for COVID-19 informed that two strategic committees on economic affairs headed by the Chief Minister and a core group headed by the Additional Chief Secretary and Development Commissioner have been formed for the strengthening of the economy in the backdrop of the pandemic. The government in the process of creating a database to developing institutional mechanisms for skill upgradation of the returnees for them to get to receive gainful employment, it was informed.
The trade-off between outbound and inbound, however, will not solve the problem filling the gap left by the departing workforce due to skill mismatch. In all probability, finding for workers, particularly constructions, should not be a big challenge for a State which officially declared 2016-2017 as the 'Year of Construction Workers’ and harping on skill development in the recent years. However, the evidence suggests otherwise. This needs immediate and adaptive policy response backed by actual implementation on the ground.
