New Delhi, Jul 2 (KNN) India is facing an unprecedented shortage of blue-collar workers, with demand far outstripping supply across various sectors.

This scarcity is causing significant challenges in project execution and is affecting industries from construction to e-commerce.

In Noida's labour chowks, traditionally bustling with skilled workers, contractors are struggling to find experienced hands. "It's becoming very difficult to get trained labour. For painting jobs, we get people who have not even held a paintbrush in their hand," reports Chunni Lal, a local contractor, reported businessline.

The situation is mirrored 1,400 km away in Mumbai, where building repair contractor Chirag Rastogi is racing against time to complete projects before the monsoon. "Most of my trusted workers have gone back to their villages either to escape the heat or to help their families with the sowing," Rastogi explains.

The food and e-commerce delivery industries, growing at nearly 20 per cent annually, are particularly hard hit. Madhav Krishna, CEO of Vahan Inc, an AI-powered recruitment platform, reveals that the industry is hiring 500,000 blue-collar workers monthly but can only fill 80 per cent of their needs.

Even industry giants like Larsen & Toubro are not immune to this trend. SN Subrahmanian, L&T's Chairman & Managing Director, cites climate factors such as extreme heat and unseasonal rain as contributing to the shortage.

"Sometimes people have to stay back on their farms. There are plenty of jobs available, but people might not want to travel out of their hometown," he adds.

The issue is further compounded by skilled workers leaving for better opportunities abroad. The United Arab Emirates hosts the largest number of Indian migrant workers at 3.4 million, followed by Saudi Arabia with 2.6 million.

While demand surges in sectors like healthcare, e-commerce, and sustainable construction, the available workforce often lacks the necessary skills.

(KNN Bureau)