Contrary to the situation in Tamil Nadu a few years ago, when numerous migrant laborers, predominantly from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand, and Uttarakhand, fled the state amid reported attacks on their fellow workers, the Tamil Nadu Government strongly refuted such claims to prevent tensions with northern Indian states. Authorities even took action against social media users spreading false information on the matter. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, some industries facilitated the return of these workers to their home states by covering their flight and train expenses.
In Tamil Nadu, workers from northern India are highly sought after due to their strong work ethic, dedication, and willingness to work flexible hours without demanding high wages like their local counterparts.
Migrant laborers in Tamil Nadu are predominantly employed in various sectors such as construction, plumbing, electrical work, garment manufacturing, coconut husk peeling, and agricultural activities like transplantation and harvesting. They are highly sought after by MSMEs for their affordability and compliance. While there have been isolated incidents involving migrant workers in criminal activities, they are generally known for their abstention from alcohol and drugs during work hours, which has garnered attention. Additionally, hotels employ them for various tasks such as cleaning, vegetable cutting, preparing parottas, making tea, and selling street food.
The Tamil Nadu government has been actively seeking investments through initiatives like the Global Investors Meet, with recent efforts extending to countries like Dubai, Malaysia, and now Spain. However, Uttar Pradesh, under Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s leadership, has surpassed Tamil Nadu in attracting investments due to its excellent infrastructure, business-friendly environment, corruption-free administration, industry incentives, and streamlined clearance processes. The recent inauguration of the Ram Mandir in Ayodhya has further boosted tourism and employment opportunities in Uttar Pradesh, providing a favorable environment for migrant workers to find jobs and reside with their families without fear of discrimination or language barriers.
Ayodhya, Prayagraj, and Varanasi are poised for significant economic growth and comprehensive development in the near future. These spiritual hubs are now emerging as centers of employment opportunities across various sectors including construction, hospitality, transportation, automobile, and green industries. Uttar Pradesh has witnessed a notable improvement in law and order, making it one of the safest states in the country, thus attracting leading businesses to establish manufacturing units in the region.
According to a recent report by the Economic Times, there has been a substantial migration of workers from the apparel units in Tirupur, also known as the Dollar City of Tamil Nadu. Out of the 600,000 migrant workers employed in Tirupur’s textile industry, approximately 60,000 have already left. This exodus poses a significant challenge for the owners of these units, particularly in the knitwear, hosiery, readymade garments, and power loom sectors. Industrialists are apprehensive about the potential impact on production if the trend continues. Efforts are underway to mitigate this mass migration to prevent a crisis in the apparel industry.
The Uttar Pradesh government is taking proactive measures to enhance the living conditions of migrant workers, including discussions on options like housing societies, improved medical facilities, wage hikes, and timely payment of wages. The Tirupur garment facilities, with exports totaling Rs 34,350 crore in FY23, have witnessed a significant exodus of migrant workers, primarily from Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha. This migration is attributed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of Rs 60,000 crore in investments for Ayodhya over the next two years, prompting workers to return home for closer proximity to their families.
Tirupur’s loss in migrant labor is turning into gains for Noida-based industries. The Noida apparel cluster, hosting 3,000 units, aims to generate Rs 40,000 crore in export revenue this fiscal year. Additionally, new apparel clusters are emerging in Uttar Pradesh’s Gorakhpur and Bundelkhand districts. Ayodhya has become a focal point for real estate investments, with significant players like “The House of Abhinandan Lodha” investing Rs 300 crore in a 25-acre land parcel in Ayodhya.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the UP Government and American firm Anjali Investment LLC has been signed to construct a 100-room resort in Ayodhya. According to an SBI Research study, the completion of the Ram Mandir and tourism-focused initiatives by the UP Government could substantially boost the state’s tax collections to Rs 25,000 crore in 2024-25. The study suggests that the influx of tourists due to the Ram temple and related efforts could result in additional tax revenue of up to Rs 25,000 crore per annum by the fiscal year 2024-25.
Following the Prana Pratishtha ceremony, the new grand temple for Bhagwan Sri Ram attracted over eight lakh devotees, and this footfall is expected to increase significantly in the coming days. The state is anticipated to gain almost Rs 4 lakh crore this year.
