A steady influx of migrant workers is returning to Bihar from Gujarat as ongoing labor unrest prompts many to leave their workplaces. Railway stations have witnessed heavy crowds as trains carrying distressed workers pull in. At Muzaffarpur Junction, the general compartments of the train traveling from Ahmedabad to Saharsa saw a massive surge of passengers, including laborers hailing from Samastipur and surrounding regions. Workers arriving at the station shared their grievances regarding the harsh realities of employment in Gujarat.
Long 12-Hour Shifts And Wage Pressures
Mohammad Mahbub Alam, a resident of Samastipur district who worked as a tiles and stone fixer in Ahmedabad, described the ground situation as increasingly untenable. The primary demand echoing among the workforce is a strict eight-hour work shift coupled with timely wage disbursement. Workers are also pushing for adequate family welfare facilities and mandatory weekly rest days. According to Alam, laborers are frequently subjected to shifts lasting up to 12 hours without proper adherence to labor norms. He estimated that roughly one thousand workers have already departed from the region due to these mounting pressures.
Contractual Pressure And The Decision To Quit
Another returning worker, Rahul from Rosera in Samastipur, shared similar hardships after working under a contractor at a manufacturing unit. He described the immense strain of enduring daily 12-hour shifts alongside persistent issues concerning wages and high living expenses. Overwhelmed by these conditions, he decided to pack his bags and abandon the job altogether. Rahul made it clear that he refuses to return to Gujarat under any circumstances. While he is open to finding work elsewhere if needed, his immediate plan is to stay put in his village and start a small tea stall to sustain himself locally.
Demand For Basic Labor Rights And Fixed Timings
The testimonies of workers arriving from industrial hubs in Gujarat consistently highlight core demands centered around regulated working hours, punctual salary payments, and guaranteed weekly holidays. Rather than enduring continuous and grueling hours of physical labor, these workers emphasize the need for a balanced schedule that allows them to spend quality time with their families. The collective sentiment among the returning laborers indicates a strong reluctance to resume work in Gujarat unless substantial reforms are introduced.
