Sambalpur: Fatak Flyover Turns Informal Labour Market Hub, Jobless Labourers Gathered in Search of Works
Sambalpur: The scene below the Sambalpur city gate flyover presents an unusual sight in the morning hours. People are sitting in groups while the train moves between lines. Some are traveling from GM University side, while others are coming from another side of Budharaja.
Among them, a few men and women are spotted standing or sitting idle. Some people have bicycles parked nearby, with bags hanging from the handlebars holding food, water bottles, and spades. The women sat with their suitcases, apparently waiting for someone. Their eye wanders around, and they engage in conversation with strangers.
These people are reportedly daily wage laborers who gathered at this location in search of work. Job searchers approach them, discuss the nature of the work, and negotiate wages before deciding whether to hire them or not.
According to sources, these laborers come from various areas in and around Sambalpur, with some going up to 10 kilometers to get here. While most arrive by bicycle, some younger workers ride motorcycles.
The daily wage employment activities begin at 7 a.m. and continue until 10 p.m. A male laborer’s typical wage is Rs. 450, while female laborers earn Rs. 350 per day. However, these rates are negotiable and may differ depending on the nature of the work.
At times, the number of laborers, both male and female, gathered at this location may reach over a hundred. However, not everyone is fortunate enough to find work on any particular day, and some return disappointed after failing to secure a job.
