Thrissur: A survey by the National Service Scheme Sri C. Achutha Menon Government College on interstate labourers reveals some couples earn more than Rs 1,500 a day. The NSS volunteers collected samples from places like Kuttanellur Bye Pass Junction where they gather in the morning waiting for employers.
Majority of them come from West Bengal, Assam and Orissa in groups and keep on moving from one place to another. High income from the unskilled jobs attracts them.
They now handle construction work, and the daily wages range from Rs 700 to 900. Some live here with their families, and the women also work.
“Like all other private sector jobs, women get less paid, and their wages range from Rs 450 – 600," said an NSS volunteer, Maneesha K.
"As the construction work has picked up, jobs are plenty. But lack of accommodation is a problem and six to eight live in a room with a rent of Rs 1,000 per head."
They prefer government hospitals to save money. To support their family, they send money every day on cash depositing machines. They are happy with the law and order situation here, and they always carry IDs.The volunteers are now chalking out plans for providing literacy in Malayalam.
They plan a leaflet of widely used Malayalam words with their equivalents.The survey was part of a three-day residential camp of the NSS on the campus. Volunteers Steji James, Aparna Suresh and Silpa Ashokan led the survey, and the report would be presented to the city corporation. Dr Sijo Varghese C. and Ms Razeena P. R. were programme officers.
