KOCHI: Demonetisation had a negative impact on all industries, making them slow down or stagnant. And migrant workers were affected the most. They were forced to accept the old currency and were asked to get it changed. This was also one way in which many employers got rid of their black money. The Rs 2,000 notes were not of utility as vendors were unable to tender change. People who did not have bank accounts could not deposit money in the accounts of others given the restrictions in place during demonetisation.
Many had cash in hand but could not convert it. They had no option but to take it to their native place and change it there. There was also a scarcity of money at their native places as the migrants were unable to send home remittances. Hence, going home and working there for a while was a crisis management strategy for many.
In the laterite mining units at Indianoor in Malappuram, workers were asked to wait for a few weeks after the note ban. Staying in Kerala without work was expensive given the cost of food, rent and other expenses. Several employers and contractors also recommended the migrant workers to go home.