The uncertainty on the employment front in Goa has resulted in the mass exodus of migrants to their native States.
Thousands of migrants, who have been rendered homeless, are facing hardships each single day due to the lockdown and the consequential stoppage in transport. The commencement of trains has in fact helped the State government to get a clear picture of the quantum of migrant population in Goa.
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“So many trains have left for UP in the last several days. But, every time a train is announced the number of migrants lined up just keeps increasing”, a top police officer said, after asking the remaining 1200 migrants to proceed to the shelter home.
These labourers are in a predicament as they don’t know when the situation will improve or whether they will have to give up on their Goa dream. Going by the harrowing experience they faced in the State during the lockdown, in their pursuit to travel back home, they are surely going to have second thought.
“We had moved into Goa to earn a living. Goa had been our home since then. But now, things are not the same for us anymore,” said Shankar Yadav, a native of Mau district in Uttar Pradesh when he came to board the train to his native State.
Bhagirath Kumar from Rae Bareili, an expert in PoP work, before leaving for his native district said, “I am the youngest in the family. I have a task at hand to build my own house and marry sometime next year. However, it all depended on the money we earned by staying away from our families. Now, I don’t know whether we are going to be back or not”.
Deepak Pardesi, worked at a fiberglass works firm in Cuncolim, said for over a year-and-a-half he did not visit his native State. But now he is hopeful and has informed his employer about returning to Goa as soon as the situation improves.
Basuraj Jamuni, who has been rendered homeless, had revealed his plight to the officials at the Navelim shelter that he has sold all his property in the village and if they send him back, he will starve. However, as per the protocol, the authorities had to compulsorily send him back to his State.
Not just businesses, but even the houses in Goa are likely to face a dearth of workforce as most housemaids and workers come from neighbouring States and a large chunk of these workers has left the State. Many, who worked as plumbers, electricians etc, have also moved out.
