The effect of crop harvesting season, general election and marriages has begun impacting the availability of labour in plywood industry in Punjab. A Contractor from Hoshiarpur spoke to the Ply Reporter correspondent 'the labour shortage will be visible only after April and May month because the migrant workforce would rush to their home place to cast their votes. There will be many who will stay back for marriage season and crop harvesting this time. The scenario is indicating a prolonged gap in labour procurement which may drop by half or more starting from now till June month.
Another contractor from Ludhiana says that presently plywood producers are also not in rush because of slower demand of finished goods but it demand comes in April - May month, it will be difficult due to absence of workers that will be again proved to be a reason for fall in production. Contractors from different industries term it as a routine annual affair which disturbs the production for two months especially during April, May - June due to crop harvesting, festivals, marriage season and this time general election. Migrant labour from Assam, Bihar, Bengal, Orissa and Uttar Pradesh are much excited to go to their home to cast their votes, says a contractor.
It is noted that the flow of orders is reportedly weak these days and most of the units are compelled to run in one shift in 5 days in week. Although, it is a fact that to minimize the labour count, Plywood industries are adopting automation and modern machines and processes equipped with better layout but the manufacturing in plywood sector still need a huge manpower because there are more than 50 new plywood manufacturing establishments have been set up in last 2 years in Punjab. Contractors from North based units say that "Every unskilled labour is getting a minimum of Rs. 10000 - 12000 per month where as skilled workers are earning 15 to 25 thousands" thus rise in operational and manufacturing cost rise with each year passing by. It is anticipated that by May last week, the workers will return to factories and the production will begin to smoothen from June mid onwards.