Shortage of workers hits construction industry
Monday, 22 December 2008
Jasim Uddin Haroon
The construction sector and the industries which are dependant on causal workers and labourers have been facing manpower shortage as a large number of people engaged in such jobs have not yet returned to the capital after Eid vacation, manufacturers and realtors told the FE Sunday.
They said the casual workers and day labourers might return after the national polls are held on December 29.
Manufacturers said many labourers are not returning due to the ongoing Boro harvest.
Sources at the real estate sector said around 50 per cent day labourers remained absent since early November affecting ongoing projects being developed in the city and peripheral areas.
Currently, around 350 housing projects are being developed in the city and many realtors have stopped construction work for the time being due to lack of labourers in the city.
"We are facing serious labourers shortage over the last three weeks in our projects and this is mainly because of the general elections," said Tanveerul Haque Probal, president of Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB).
Abdur Razzak, president of Bangladesh Nirman Sramik Union, said the workers will join after polls.
"This is our fundamental right. So we want to exercise our franchise rights in the polls," he added.
"Around 15 per cent workers remained absent in garment manufacturing units," said MA Salam, acting president of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
He also said: "Many workers joined offices after Eid and they again applied for vacations to cast their vote in the national polls."
"Many manufacturers are granting leaves to the workers," MA Salam added.
REHAB president also said: "I am giving leave to my officials as they want to cast votes to their respective constituencies."
Md Fazlul Hoque, president of BKMEA said their productivity will suffer due to the long absence of workers at the job places.
"I did not see such enthusiasms among the workers earlier. We have to consider it although our productivity is being hampered," Mr Hoque added.
The construction sector and the industries which are dependant on causal workers and labourers have been facing manpower shortage as a large number of people engaged in such jobs have not yet returned to the capital after Eid vacation, manufacturers and realtors told the FE Sunday.
They said the casual workers and day labourers might return after the national polls are held on December 29.
Manufacturers said many labourers are not returning due to the ongoing Boro harvest.
Sources at the real estate sector said around 50 per cent day labourers remained absent since early November affecting ongoing projects being developed in the city and peripheral areas.
Currently, around 350 housing projects are being developed in the city and many realtors have stopped construction work for the time being due to lack of labourers in the city.
"We are facing serious labourers shortage over the last three weeks in our projects and this is mainly because of the general elections," said Tanveerul Haque Probal, president of Real Estate and Housing Association of Bangladesh (REHAB).
Abdur Razzak, president of Bangladesh Nirman Sramik Union, said the workers will join after polls.
"This is our fundamental right. So we want to exercise our franchise rights in the polls," he added.
"Around 15 per cent workers remained absent in garment manufacturing units," said MA Salam, acting president of Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA).
He also said: "Many workers joined offices after Eid and they again applied for vacations to cast their vote in the national polls."
"Many manufacturers are granting leaves to the workers," MA Salam added.
REHAB president also said: "I am giving leave to my officials as they want to cast votes to their respective constituencies."
Md Fazlul Hoque, president of BKMEA said their productivity will suffer due to the long absence of workers at the job places.
"I did not see such enthusiasms among the workers earlier. We have to consider it although our productivity is being hampered," Mr Hoque added.