Context:

Migrant labourers in Tamil Nadu are making gradual inroads in the agriculture sector in the delta region.

Migration Patterns and Labour Distribution

The Shift Towards Migrant Labour in Agriculture

Migrant workers from various parts of India are gradually entering the agricultural fields of the Cauvery delta in Tamil Nadu, a region often referred to as the granary of South India. Their arrival comes in response to a severe shortage of farmhands, which has plagued the area in recent years.

Despite the increase in migrant workers, this trend has not yet raised significant concerns among trade unions or local labourers. The number of migrant workers in the agriculture sector remains relatively low when compared to other industries across Tamil Nadu. However, the labour shortage continues to be a common complaint among farmers, as younger generations have moved away from farming, leaving the burden on older generations.

Focus on Urban and Semi-Urban Areas

Migrant labourers are more commonly found in urban or semi-urban pockets of the delta region, where there is a shortage of local labour. Farmers with larger landholdings, like G. Sethuraman from Dharasuram near Kumbakonam, have noted that migrant workers avoid areas with a significant local labour population, instead focusing on villages near urban areas where they are in higher demand. Labour unions suggest that potential disputes between local and migrant workers can be avoided by ensuring equal pay for both groups, which would help prevent tensions from arising.

Migrants Filling the Labour Gap

Migrant Labour from Eastern India

In response to the shortage of farm labour, migrant workers from states like West Bengal and Bihar have begun to fill the gap. These workers often travel in groups across the state during the agricultural seasons and are primarily hired for paddy transplantation and harvesting in the delta. They are known for their skills in agriculture and offer swift work at relatively lower costs, making them sought after by farmers.

For the past three years, migrant labourers have been working in different districts of Tamil Nadu. One such labourer, Deva Mondal from Bengal, describes the demanding nature of their work. His group works from dawn to dusk, transplanting paddy seedlings on four to five acres of land daily. Charging ₹4,500 to ₹5,000 per acre, they are able to cover more ground and earn more compared to local labourers who are paid ₹600 per day for similar work.

Impact on Local Labour

While the presence of migrant workers is helping alleviate the labour shortage, it has not yet become widespread across the delta region. Labour unions acknowledge that the engagement of migrant workers in farm operations is not as alarming in the delta districts as it is in northern districts of Tamil Nadu. Several factors, including the adoption of government-supported farm mechanisation and local youth seeking steady income jobs, have contributed to the decline in the local agricultural workforce.

Socio-Economic Shifts and the Impact of MGNREGA

Changing Workforce Dynamics

The shift away from agriculture among the younger generation is attributed to larger socio-economic changes. Many people who have completed basic education prefer to work in cities, leaving middle-aged and older individuals as the primary agricultural workforce. Ayalai Siva Suriyan, District Secretary of the Tamil Nadu Vivasayigal Sangam, argues that hiring migrant workers has become inevitable due to this shift.

The Role of MGNREGA

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has also been cited by some farmers as contributing to the labour shortage and rising wages. However, not all agree. In Tiruchi district, for example, most beneficiaries of MGNREGA received only 40 days of work last year, far short of the 100 days promised, according to Mr. Siva Suriyan. Some argue that limiting MGNREGA to the non-cultivation season could reduce the need for migrant labour.

Labour Unions’ Role in Prioritising Local Workforce

In the past, labour unions in the delta region ensured that local labourers were given priority in hiring for agricultural work. Farmers, regardless of their landholding size, depended heavily on local labour for every aspect of farming. There was significant resistance from local farm labour unions to the mechanisation of agriculture and the hiring of migrant workers.

Gradual Shift Towards Mechanisation

The implementation of MGNREGA during the first decade of this century led to changes in the agricultural labour landscape. As farm hands enjoyed the benefits of MGNREGA, their reliance on traditional agricultural work decreased. This, combined with a push for mechanisation, led to a weakening of local labour syndicates' control over agricultural operations.

Ongoing Unemployment

Despite these changes, many agricultural labourers in the delta still struggle with unemployment. Indira Jeevanantham, a 68-year-old woman from Parasanallur panchayat in Mayiladuthurai district, reflects the challenges faced by the older generation. She only finds work during the samba paddy cultivation season, which lasts for about three months. The rest of the year, she must rely on small jobs to sustain herself and her ailing husband.

Indira’s story is indicative of a broader trend in Parasanallur panchayat, where the agricultural workforce has dwindled from 750 people to just 75, most of whom are older women. The relationship between farmers and labourers, often divided along caste lines, has added complexity to the situation.

Ensuring Equitable Employment Practices in Cauvery Delta

●      Legal Framework and Enforcement: Strict enforcement of minimum wage laws for all agricultural labourers, irrespective of their origin, is essential. Ensuring compliance with labour welfare laws, including working hours, rest periods, and safety regulations, should be prioritised. Anti-discrimination laws must be strengthened to protect migrant workers from exploitation and harassment.

●      Skill Development and Capacity Building: Providing vocational training in modern agricultural practices to both local and migrant laborers is important. Supporting skill development programs that can lead to self-employment opportunities should be encouraged, along with offering financial literacy programs to help workers manage their earnings effectively.

●      Wage and Benefit Transparency: Establishing wage boards to determine fair wages for agricultural laborers ensures fairness. Providing similar benefit packages to both local and migrant workers, including access to healthcare and social security, would promote equality in the workforce.

●      Housing and Accommodation: Ensuring access to safe and affordable housing for migrant workers is essential. Providing basic amenities like clean water, sanitation, and healthcare facilities in workers' accommodations is vital to their well-being.

Conclusion

Tamil Nadu’s impressive gross enrolment ratio of 47%, the highest in the country, reflects a broader socio-economic shift. With nearly half the population pursuing higher education, fewer people are likely to return to agricultural labour. As a result, the increasing presence of migrant workers in the Cauvery delta may become a more permanent solution to the region’s labour shortages, despite ongoing concerns about unemployment among the local population.

Source: The Hindu