Mango Producers in Malihabad India Blames Government Jobs for Labor Shortage

Mango growers in Malihabad town of Uttar Pradesh (UP) are finding it difficult to arrange labors for lifting and packaging mangoes before selling in the market. Due to this problem, mango business in the area has been severely affected.

Labor shortage has been created because of the government’s rural employment act by which rural people are given works. So, many people are now attracted to those jobs where payments are ensured by the central government.

Mango owners now even need to go to 60 to 70 kilometres away looking for labors. Sometimes, labors do not come despite giving words.

On the other hand, labors complain about the mango growers regarding their little payment. Labors say that they can earn a better amount by working 6-7 hours at the government’s job, while at mango gardens they need to work 24 hours and still can not earn a descent amount.

The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), passed by United Progressive Alliance (UPA) in 2005, ensures job for the rural people in order to reduce unemployment problem in the rural area.