File picture of migrant labourers in Kendrapara

Kedrapara, April 15: Lured by poll freebies from political parties, migrant labourers have skipped their annual migration and stayed back at villages.

Many of the migrant labourers have even turned into paid campaigners for political parties in the fray.

The labourers are known for their skilled workforce, including manual labour, carpentry, construction activities, electrical works, outside the state.

During this part of the year, once the harvesting season is over, they make their way to metro cities and other places of the country. But, the elections have altered their plan with the parties in the fray seeking the labourers’ service in poll campaign.

Generally, the exodus begins once the khariff season is over. But this time, that has not been the case mainly due to the electioneering.

“We have delayed the journey as we are being given money for taking part in the poll campaigns. The return is enough to make up what we would have earned going back to our workplaces. Besides, staying at home and enjoying homely comfort are another bonus,” said Sudam Biswal

Sudam works as a carpenter, who was scheduled to move to Bangalore this March.

“I will be leaving to my workplace a week after the polls are over. Accordingly, I have informed my employer,” said Sudam.

“We are much-sought after by the leading parties. The migrant labourers are well paid for helping out the candidates during canvassing and taking part in road shows and election rallies. Though it’s a short-term work, we preferred to stay back, caste our votes and earn at the same time,” he said.

“But, it comes only once in five year,” another migrant worker said.

On the other hand, many of the skilled plumbers employed in far-off places, including overseas, have not turned up to take part in the voting process.

“My husband is based in Qatar. He had planned to return home to cast his vote. But, at the last moment, he got occupied with a bulk work order. Therefore, he failed to come home,” said Sharmista Sahu, a native of Srirampur.

“My husband is employed in Hissar. His employer did not sanction him the leave. He has now rescheduled his visit in June. So, he will not be able to vote,” said another woman, whose spouse is a plumber.

In major areas of this district, plumbing is a significant economic activity that has been providing income sources to thousands of families in this no-industry district. This trend has been in vogue for generations together.

Besides major urban centres, the plumbers mainly from Pattamundai, Rajnagar and Aul region have spread their network in various places across the country. Many have made their way to gulf and Middle East countries stamping out their class and dexterity in plumbing sectors.

An official estimate put the number of migrant plumbers at 20,000.