A large number of construction workers in Udayapur have become jobless after river mining was banned in the district resulting in lack of construction materials. These jobless workers have announced protest from tomorrow.

After the government banned the transportation of construction materials like gravel, sand and boulders for two months, construction workers have become jobless. They are worried that they will have to face an even worse situation and money crunch at a time when Dashain is approaching.

Harka Bahadur Bishwokarma, of Triyuga municipality, said it has been very hard for him to feed his five-member family. Bishwokarma has been involved in construction work for the past ten years. He said that he has been facing a hard time managing everyday essentials for his family for the last one month, due to the ban. “I don’t know anything except construction work, and now that too has been taken away,” he lamented, adding that he had been taking loan to manage two meals a day for his family.

Sources said that scores of jobless people have moved to India seeking employment. “Daily wage labourers have no option but to move to India for their survival,” said Shasi Rai, District Coordinator of General Federation of Nepalese Trade Unions (GEFONT).

Santosh Chaudhary, a wage labourer, said that they didn’t have any option except going to India as Dashain festival is near and there is no hope of work resuming in Udayapur.

Construction work was halted for a month after the government directed all District Development Committees to restrict the supply and extraction of construction materials across nation. The ongoing construction of more than 1,000 houses in urban areas of the district have halted due to lack of construction materials.

According to a construction association, more than 12,000 workers were earning their livelihood from this sector in Udayapur. Workers have warned of third-phase protest from tomorrow against the state directives.

Published on: 20 August 2014 | The Himalayan Times