On Monday, normalcy returned to Punjab after days of border tensions between India and Pakistan. Airports, as well as markets, malls, and other commercial centres, were reopened in Punjab after the green signal from the Central and State Administration. The normalcy returned to Punjab and other Indian bordering states after India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire. In the meanwhile Punjab is witnessing a new problem- an exodus of migrant labourers.
Prominent industrialists from Jalandhar have expressed concern over the escalating labour crisis. Rajesh Kharabanda of NIVIA Sports remarked, “There’s still a lot of panic. Workers are leaving even after the ceasefire. There’s nothing alarming here—everything is normal. The fear is largely perception-driven
Gaurav Sood of Prime Leather highlighted the pressure on businesses, stating, "Our industry has suffered significantly. We are trying our best to explain the situation to workers, but the government also needs to step up its efforts."
Outlining similar concerns, Deepak Chawla of Jay Dee Leather said, “Our business is being badly affected. Workers are still fearful, and social media has played a major negative role in fuelling this fear.”
Manish Kohli of Synco Sports pointed to the losses caused by misinformation, saying, “Fake news on social media has triggered panic. The situation is creating operational difficulties for us.”
Parveen Kumar of Raghu Sports warned of economic consequences on exports, saying, “Our export orders will be impacted due to the labour shortage. We’re trying to calm our workforce, but without manpower, how will we complete orders?”
Labour crisis in Ludhiana
In Ludhiana, Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Arora convened a meeting with local industrialists and assured them of full support. The industrialists said, "We’re doing everything possible to resolve the issue. we are also trying to provide ration support, we are even trying that from our side to prevent labour from leaving."
A senior industrialist from Punjab, speaking to True Scoop on condition of anonymity, stated, “This is no longer just a labour issue. Even those working in official and clerical positions are considering leaving. The government must intervene seriously. The media is sensationalizing the matter, which is making things worse.”
Notably, a relatively less panic compared is now being witnessed as compared to previous days. It is expected that in the upcoming days with day-to-day normalcy, the calmness will settle the workers.
Punjab Labour Crisis
Following the recent drone attacks under ‘Operation Sindoor’, border districts in Punjab have seen a noticeable shift in their social and economic dynamics. Fear has taken root not only among daily wage earners but also among students and small business owners. Many have decided to return to their native states, feeling that “home is safer.”
The District Administrations of Ludhiana and Jalandhar have made efforts to raise awareness and reassure the public, but migrants remain unconvinced. As a result, industrial hubs like Ludhiana and Jalandhar are now grappling with a severe labour shortage, which is beginning to impact production.
The exodus is also threatening Punjab’s agricultural cycle. With the paddy transplantation season approaching, farmers—who heavily rely on migrant labour—fear serious disruptions. A lack of workforce at this crucial time may lead to delays in planting, risking yield losses and economic strain.
Many students, too, have chosen to return home due to the volatile environment.