Migrant workers who are returning to Kerala after leaving during the pandemic are demanding significantly higher wages, causing major disruptions in the state’s construction sector. Workers who previously earned around ₹1,000 per day are now asking for ₹1,500 or more, with masons demanding upwards of ₹1,500 and helpers asking for ₹1,200 to ₹1,300 per day.

The construction industry in Kerala, which employs more people than agriculture, is facing a severe crisis. According to Anil Kumar, a state committee member of the Licensed Engineers Association, only a small percentage of migrant workers have returned so far. Those who have returned are demanding wage increases of nearly 50 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels.

The timing is particularly difficult as April to mid-May is peak season for housewarming ceremonies and completing pending construction projects. The worker shortage and wage demands are delaying numerous projects. With monsoon season approaching, unfinished structures face the risk of damage from heavy rains.

The problem extends beyond construction to the hotel sector, which also relies heavily on migrant workers. Industry representatives say they cannot afford such steep wage increases given the current economic pressures from rising construction material costs.

The Licensed Engineers Association has urged the state government to intervene urgently to address the crisis. They warn that if workers continue to organize and make collective demands, the situation could escalate further, potentially bringing the construction sector to a standstill.

Malayali workers, who were once the backbone of Kerala’s construction workforce, have largely moved away from the industry over the past two decades. The younger generation has not entered the field, leaving the sector heavily dependent on migrant labor. This dependency has given returning migrant workers significant bargaining power in wage negotiations.