Migrants in Tamil Nadu stay away from work

Industries across Tamil Nadu, which rely heavily on migrant workers, have hit the panic button as a section of their workers stayed away from work after seeing fake videos and reports on migrant workers being attacked in the State.

Heads of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), hotels and restaurants and construction firms met up with their migrant workers and told them that they would be taken care of.

Over 70% of those who work in these sectors are migrants, industry leaders said.

M. Ravi, president, Chennai Hotels Association, said, “Some of my workers have also left for their home towns after getting calls from their families. We are in touch with them. The migrant workers have played a crucial role in the restaurant and hospitality sector in the State. They learn our language and recipes quickly,” he noted. K.T. Srinivasa Raja, managing director, Adyar Ananda Bhavan, said many of his workers had also gone back. Both were confident that their workers would return after celebrating Holi.

MSMEs also felt the pinch. R. Selvam, secretary of the Thirumudivakkam Industrial Estate Manufacturers’ Association, said around 300 migrant workers did not turn up for work on Saturday and stayed back in their hostel rooms.