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Jaipur is experiencing a significant staff shortage as migrant workers from Cooch Behar head back home to vote in the upcoming Bengal elections, just two weeks away. This mass return has left households and eateries in the city scrambling to fill gaps in their workforce.
Impact of Cooch Behar’s Voting on Jaipur’s Workforce
With nine constituencies in Cooch Behar set to vote on April 23, a large number of Bengali domestic workers and daily-wage laborers in Jaipur are telling their employers: “vote first, work later.” This exodus has disrupted routine services across homes, hotels, restaurants, and construction sites.
Unprecedented Enthusiasm to Vote
According to Mewa Bharti, a domestic help activist and leader of the Rajasthan Mahila Kamraj Union, “Over 80% of Jaipur’s domestic help and laborers hail from villages in Cooch Behar. We are witnessing remarkable enthusiasm to return home for voting, the highest we’ve seen since Covid.”
The Effects of Labor Shortages on Local Businesses
The impact of this labor shortage is widespread. Women predominantly work as domestic help, while men are employed in hotels, marriage gardens, factories, and construction sites. Tarun Kumar Bansal, president of the Hotels and Restaurant Association of Rajasthan, stressed, “Running a kitchen in Jaipur without Cooch Behar manpower is unimaginable. Almost entire families are leaving to vote, leading to an acute staff shortage.” He noted that over 70 of his 240 employees, all from Cooch Behar, have applied for leave.
Market Disruptions and Economic Consequences
The labor exodus has extended its ripple effects to local markets, including the Bengali Fish Market in Bais Godam and the Bengali Anaj Mandi on Shakar Marg, which are likely to remain shut for nearly a month.
Political Promises Drive Voting Motivation
Migrant worker Usha Barman explained the urgency behind their return, stating, “Political parties have promised financial help based on how many family members vote. We are also concerned that if we don’t vote, our names may be removed in the next revision.”
The Journey Home: Prioritizing Voting over Work
With trains fully booked and long waiting lists, many migrants are opting for general coaches or private buses, showcasing that for these workers, fulfilling their civic duty takes precedence over their livelihoods.
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