‘Influx of migrant labourers tied to TN youths’ desire for high pay’

DMK MLA TM Anbarasan of Alandur constituency said that when he went to thank the voters in Sriperumbudur, after the recent victory in Parliament elections, he saw large number of youth from North Eastern parts ofIndia working in various companiesin Sriperumbudur.

He demanded the government to ensure that 80 per cent of the labourers working in private companies are from the state and among them 20 per cent should be from the local area. He also alleged that the Central government through National Employment Enhancement Mission (NEEM) is trying to make permanent labourers temporary and is against the rights of labourers.

He also quoted the examples of companies like Nokia and said that large number of companies have exited from the state in AIADMK rule.

Nilofer Kafeel, in her reply, said, “the main reason for increase in number of other state labourers working in Tamil Nadu is due to the state youth refusing to work for low wages and it is taken as advantage by the labourers of other states.”

She also said that however the level is not alarming as only 155 industries have registered under Inter State Migration of Workers Act of 1979 and only these industries can employ labourers of other states. In these 155 industries, the salary is low and so they employ labourers of other states, said Nilofer Kafeel.

Replying to the allegation of closure of companies in Tamil Nadu, she said that 17 companies in Tamil Nadu have closed due to financial constraints and it has no connection with the stategovernment.

Radhapuram MLA Inbadurai during his address, said that Tamil Nadu is home for employment and so large number of youth from other states come to Tamil Nadu. “When DMK was in power there were boards mentioning ‘no vacancy’ but now in all the companies there are announcements for job openings which shows thatTamil Nadu has progressed inAIADMK’s rule.”

State Electricity Minister P Thangamani said that the power demand of the state increases by 1000 MW every year which shows that industrial base in expanding in the state.