Labourers skip work for campaign trail in Namakkal

Namakkal: The district's famed poultry and allied units, are facing an unusual setback as workers have traded their factory shifts for political campaigns, lured by the promise of quick daily wages.Several exporting companies have been forced to suspend operations with reduced staffing affecting production, stalling consignments and delaying shipments.Local accounts reveal that campaign organisers are offering 300 for a four-hour meeting, a sum that has proven irresistible to many labourers. After attending campaigns workers return home, leaving production lines unmanned and businesses scrambling to cope with the sudden exodus.Employers in the district, particularly those in the poultry and export sectors, say the disruption is unprecedented. "We are unable to run operations without the usual workforce. The election has practically emptied our sheds," remarked one exporter, requesting anonymity.For the workers, however, the campaign trail offers both financial relief and social engagement. "In four hours, I earn what I might otherwise make after a full day's work. After the meeting, I can rest at home," said a labourer from Rasipuram, underscoring the appeal of short-term political work over routine factory labour.However, political observers note that this phenomenon is not new to Tamil Nadu's electoral landscape, where campaign managers often rely on daily-wage workers to mobilise crowds. "Yet, the scale of disruption in Namakkal's organised sector has raised concerns about the economic ripple effects. Exporters warn that prolonged absenteeism could dent the district's reputation as a reliable supplier in global markets," said Poomozhi, a political analyst.As the campaign tempo rises, industries are trapped between political fervour and economic necessity, a reminder of how elections in Tamil Nadu often reshape not just politics, but livelihoods and local economies.