Covid-19: The exodus of migrant labourers

/ 2 min read

Migrant labourers in Delhi and the National Capital Region are leaving in the thousands for their native places with the 21-day lockdown putting them out of work.

Migrant labourers, who are out of work because of the lockdown enforced to check the spread of Covid-19, are returning to their native villages in the thousands—mostly on foot.

ADVERTISEMENT

Last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had called for a 21-day lockdown in view of the rising number of infections from the novel Coronavirus. The number of cases at last count on Sunday was 979 cases; the death toll stood at 25.

With the lockdown bringing to a halt almost all economic activity, life has become particularly hard for migrant labourers, mostly daily-wagers employed in construction and other informal sectors.

Credits: Sanjay Rawat
Credits: Sanjay Rawat
Credits: Sanjay Rawat
Credits: Sanjay Rawat

A deserted petrol station in New Delhi.

Fortune India is now on WhatsApp! Get the latest updates from the world of business and economy delivered straight to your phone. Subscribe now.

Recommended Stories