Going by the current wages in Calangute, it could well be more profitable to work as a daily wage labourer than to be employed in some white-collared job.
With migrant labourers demanding daily wages as high as Rs 600-650 along the Calangute coast, local residents have complained that the State government has failed to fix a cap on the steadily growing wages demanded by the migrant workforce.
According to sources, migrant labourers have been raising their daily wages at regular intervals without any fear of a backlash from the Goan community, real estate lobby or even the State government.
“The daily wages demanded by a migrant labourer was Rs 350-400 in January. This figure rose to Rs 450-500 in February due to a shortage of labour. At present, migrant labourers demand daily wages ranging from Rs 550 to Rs 650 and this is an unrealistic figure,” said the source.
“Why, many Goans draw lower salaries than the monthly income of migrant labourers in Calangute. If a Goan draws a salary of about Rs 6,000-8,000 per month, migrant labourers earn nothing less than Rs 18,000 per month,” the source added.
The surge in the daily wages demanded by migrant labourers has shocked the locals in Calangute.
“I was shocked to learn that the fee structure of the migrant labourer for household and other jobs is a whopping Rs 600-650 per day. I have been drawing a monthly salary of 8000 in a reputed office, while these migrant workers can earn Rs 18,000 per month,” said Maria D’Souza.
“The migrant workers have been earning fat salaries in Goa. The State government should keep a tab on the steady rise in daily wages of the migrant workforce. The migrant workers should certainly be paid a reasonable amount, but it cannot be a hefty amount, as is being demanded by them at present,” D’Souza added.
A student, Priti Naik, complained that while Goans have had to struggle in their own land, migrant labourers are being paid more than they deserve.
“Why should migrant labourers be paid handsomely for a daily wage job in Goa, while we Goans have to slog it out for a decent salary? It is sad Niz-Goenkars have been struggling to survive in their own land with meagre salaries,” said Naik.
Meena Pramod, a housewife, was concerned that the daily wages of migrant labourers could soon spiral beyond her means.
“From January to August, the daily wages of migrant labourers have risen by Rs 300, which is unfair. How can we afford a labourer for gardening or other works for a daily wage of Rs 600-650? The migrant labourers are now increasing their daily wages without any control from the government,” remarked Pramod.
When contacted, Calangute MLA Michael Lobo described the steady rise in wages for migrant labourers as “unfair and unrealistic.”
“It is high time that the State government brings about a legislation to curb the unfair increase in daily wages of the migrant labourers. The rise in wages from Rs 350 in January to Rs 600-650 in August is unfair and unrealistic.”
“I will urge upon the labour department to frame rules so that the daily wage limit of migrant labourer is kept at a maximum of Rs 350. It is difficult for people to employ migrant labourers for Rs 600-650 a day. Daily wages should be fixed at Rs 350 per day and not beyond that,” said Lobo.