Masonry is one of the oldest occupations in Goa and Pernem taluka is well known for providing the best masons in the State. Their work is not only appreciated all over Goa but welcome in neighbouring states like Maharashtra and Karnataka.
However, as time passed on, migrants entered the State and today are dominating the masonry in Goa. As a result one can hardly locate Goan masons working full time. Masons from Pernem taluka are well known specially for their quality of work and their interest in giving out creative designs of carvings of their own.
A mason Mohan Naik claimed, “I stepped into this occupation as helping hand to my father. There was time that work of masons was appreciated and well paid but today the migrants have dominated this occupation”.
“My father, my grandfather and my uncles were into this occupation and I being the eldest among the siblings, I too stepped into this occupation. I was 18 then and till today I am into same profession but at a low scale. Today people want their work to get completed as soon as possible but they forget to maintain the quality of work. Within a span of few days or months, contractors manage to complete the construction work. Work is in bulk but quality level has gone down”, a mason Abhimanyu Polji said.
It is noticed that on every tinto or junction in a town or village, early morning groups of migrant labourers wait for people to hire them for work on daily or weekly basis. Not only that people come in search of workers but also provide pick up and drop facilities to them with fixed per day rate, said a mason.
Masons also claimed that journey of masons had begun with Rs 3.50 day. However, as time passed, even with free food and accommodation, the charges are of migrant masons today is more than Rs 2000 per day, said another mason.
There was a time, a Pernem villager said, “when finding a labourer was difficult, however today we not only find labourers but dozens of migrant masons waiting at every corner for work. Instant work and people are ready to pay any amount is the mantra. Why masons in Goa are declining is because outsiders are making money even if their work is shoddy. With migrant masons easily available people prefer instant work and have forgotten the ancient creative work and given less preference, masons claimed.
Not only masons but the migrants have taken over jobs like painting, carpeting, bakery, scrap, door to door sales and others. They take up the work on contracts as well as appoint people under them.
Major located areas in Pernem are the beach side villages, Pernem and Agarwada Chopdem.
