India News
Blue-collar workers, including auto drivers, security guards, general laborers in factories, and domestic help recruited through agencies, are increasingly choosing to move to Kerala rather than working in other parts of India.
When asked, a security guard near Cochin International Airport said, "I came here a year ago from Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, to work at this Saravana Bhavan. My experiences and awareness brought me here, and this will be my final destination. If I had known about this place earlier, I would have moved here instead of working in other parts of India."
He continued, "I receive my salary promptly on the 1st of every month. I get regular salary hikes, even without asking for them. I am also provided with accommodation, which was never the case elsewhere. I am eligible for some free medical services. I credit not only my employer but also the union system here."
He concluded, "The state, governed by the LDF for years, has strong and well-established unions for every blue-collar job. This ensures that there is no exploitation or ill-treatment."
An office boy working in a hotel added, "This is something many people may not know. I am from a village near Kolkata. West Bengal was once a preferred destination for blue-collar workers, especially during Jyoti Basu’s time under CPI rule. Now it’s no longer desirable. In Kerala, labor laws are strict, and every employer is aware of this."
Just as software engineers are drawn to cities like Bengaluru or Hyderabad, blue-collar workers are considering Kerala when they learn about these opportunities. Moreover, Kerala’s tourism-driven economy creates a higher demand for blue-collar jobs compared to other places.
This pro-labor governance may be one of the main reasons why the LDF has been ruling the state for decades.
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