Exploitation, a stark reality beneath thriving construction sector

KOHIMA — In the bustling world of construction where the foundation of progress is laid, a stark reality lurks beneath this seeming thriving sector – that of exploitation.

Construction workers, whether local or migrant, share a common aspiration for dignity, fair treatment and just compensation.

However, woven into the fabric of their daily lives are threads of adversity, challenges, threats and struggle against exploitation that constantly weigh them down.

In a recent interaction with Eastern Mirror, a local construction worker, who wished to remain anonymous, revealed how he and his co-workers were exploited by an employer, for a house they constructed a few kilometers from the state capital.

He shared that, at first, he was excited to be working for a person whom he was related to and that the employer was also an influential person to look up to.

However, it turned out to be a nightmare at the end of the day, as instead of getting fairly paid for the completion of the work, he was threatened to keep his mouth shut and accept whatever amount was paid to him.

The construction worker maintained that initially he thought the food provision supplied to him such as tea leaves, milk powder and sugar, besides the occasional meat supplement, during the course of work, were complimentary.

However, it turned out to not be the case when he went to draw his hard-earned salary pending for months, as the employer started making excuses and complaining about the workmanship, although he was visiting the work site regularly.

Claiming that he was compelled to accept the “marginal amount,” after the deduction for the food items, which he initially thought were freebies, the unnamed worker went on to say that he had to finally relent, as being a worker living from hand to mouth, he still needed to make a living.

He further claimed that other workers, who had also worked for the same owner, faced similar threats.

Farukh, another migrant worker who came to the state capital in search of better avenues as a construction worker, also narrated a similar ordeal he faced some years ago.

The migrant worker testified that despite completing the work as specified by the owner, he was threatened to forgo some amount of money, which was his due.

After the bitter incident, Farukh said that giving a background check of the work owner is essential to be on the safer side.

Vethi also had his share of being exploited by his foreman (thikadar) as the latter did not pay Vethi by making false excuse that he had not received the bill from the proprietors of a private institution they had constructed about six years ago.

Subsequent attempts to reach out the foreman to get his hard-earn money worth INR 15,000 were all in vain, as the foreman was rarely to be seen thereafter and did not pick up Vethi’s phone calls.

Absence of labour union in Nagaland

India’s construction sector is the second largest employment generator with 7.1 crore workforce, which is set to cross 10 crore by 2030, according to Knight Frank-RICS report.

However, the sorry state of exploitation and immediate threats faced by low-rung construction worker persist.

Though the Construction Workers Federation of India (CWFI), which is affiliated to Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), is present in many states in the country, the absence of any labour union, or for that matter, workers’ union in Nagaland, has proved to be a daunting challenge for construction workers as they work as independent entities.

If the construction workers work collectively under a union, then they can voice out for their rights, sensitise co-workers about their entitlement according to the law, and coordinate with the concerned department dealing with such issues.

As Ato, another construction worker engaged in wood work since his early youth, shared how the job givers or employers often have the tendency to underpay the workers after completion of work, despite the rate being negotiated prior to the start of work.

In the absence of any regulatory body or mechanism for fixation of minimum wages or rate for work, the situation can become exploitative if the job givers and employers have the final say.

He was of the opinion that fixing certain ceiling for various works according to the skill and amount of work, will enable healthy competition among the workers, while also serving a common reference for all. This will save the workers from being exploited by the job givers, he said.

Safety concerns take a back seat

Additionally, there is also a tendency with many to ignore work safety protocols, which poses grave threat to the physical well-being of the worker.

During the past few months of reaching out to the construction workers as part of the KPC-NBOCWWB fellowship, many were seen carrying out their works according to convenience, leaving aside safety concerns, especially working with machinery and at heights.

According to the first report of Nagaland Disaster Statistics 2023, a total of 43 cases of electrocution including 13 deaths were reported during the period 2019-20 and 2021-2022,

Although the data does not specifically mention the cases related to the construction sector, it underscores the need for enhanced safety measures and awareness campaigns to prevent accident and protect lives.

Meanwhile, another information furnished by the Nagaland Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board (NBOCWB) stated that a total of 58 claims were made by the beneficiaries of Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), a government-backed life insurance scheme.

It was also informed that an amount of INR 2,00,000 each was given to the nominee of the deceased construction workers.

Migrant workers soft target of illegal taxation

Many migrant workers, although hesitant to share the ordeals of what they often face for fear of reprisal from the Naga-political groups, have also confided that there are “soft targets” of illegal taxation from various groups, whether at the work site or locality they reside.

When this correspondent obtained the contact number of a construction worker and called up the number while pursuing his story, the worker became uneasy.

This unease stems from the fact that the number was new and the worker thought a member of the Naga political groups was calling him.

Another migrant worker disclosed that the demand for ‘tax’ from the various groups increase during the festive seasons.

As the shadows of adversity and uncertainties cast doubt upon the dignity and livelihood of construction workers in Nagaland, it becomes imperative for society, policymakers, and industry stakeholders, to lend an ear to these poignant narratives.

(This story is the fifth and the final in a series of reports pursued as part of the KPC-NBOCWWB Media Fellowship 2023)

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