Manufacturers will struggle to get labour back after lockdown is lifted

With migrant factory workers leaving India’s major cities after a government lockdown announcement by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on March 24, manufacturing companies are staring at the challenge of getting the labour force back once operations resume on April 15.

Factory workers can only be brought back if there is assurance of advance payment and compensation, besides safety at the workplace, say manufacturers.

The auto ancillary industry — one of the worst hit due to the labour exodus — will need at least three months to get its factories up and running. According to an ancillary supplier to the auto