Workforce Mobilisation in India: L&T Chief Highlights Key Challenges

The reluctance of younger employees to relocate and work from office is creating a major challenge for businesses, especially in industries requiring large-scale workforce mobilisation. L&T chairman and managing director S N Subrahmanyan recently addressed this issue, highlighting concerns faced by both corporate and construction sectors.

Younger Employees Resistant to Relocation

Speaking at a CII event, Subrahmanyan pointed out a stark shift in employee attitudes over the years.

“When I joined L&T in 1983, my boss said if you are from Chennai, you go to Delhi and work. Today, if I take a guy from Chennai and tell him to go to Delhi and work, he says ‘bye’… The situation is worse in the IT world… If you tell him to come to office and work, he says ‘bye’,” he remarked.

The older generation is struggling to adapt to this shift, and companies are working towards flexible policies to balance expectations. However, labour mobilisation remains a major concern for industries that require employees to be on-site.

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Labour Shortage in Large-Scale Projects

One of the biggest challenges facing the construction sector is labour mobilisation. Despite providing decent accommodation, companies are finding it difficult to convince workers from rural areas to relocate to urban projects.

“We have to employ four lakh labourers and the attrition rate is three to four times a year, so we employ about 1.6 million,” Subrahmanyan explained.

Factors such as direct benefit transfers, welfare schemes like free foodgrains, and MGNREGA have contributed to the reluctance of workers to migrate for jobs. L&T has previously identified this labour shortage as a significant issue for its operations.

Digital Solutions and Skilling Initiatives

To address these challenges, companies are exploring digital solutions and skilling initiatives:

Apps for worker engagement: Platforms allow workers to choose projects based on their interests, but large-scale mobilisation remains difficult.
Dedicated HR for labour: L&T has created a separate department focused on workforce mobilisation.
Collaboration with ITIs and skilling institutes: The company partners with educational institutions to develop a skilled workforce.
CSR-driven community building: Efforts are being made to improve living conditions and provide support to workers.

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The Future of Construction: 3D Printing as an Alternative

As labour shortages persist, companies are turning to technological advancements such as 3D concrete printing. While the cost per square foot of 3D printing remains higher than traditional methods, this approach could become necessary if workforce mobilisation continues to be a challenge.

The evolving nature of workforce expectations and labour mobilisation in India poses a challenge for industries relying on large-scale projects. Companies like L&T are investing in technology, skilling, and HR strategies to navigate these changes. As the landscape shifts, businesses will need to adopt innovative approaches to ensure sustainable workforce management.