Bias & Barriers Challenge Naga Labourers

Locals and Non-Locals Navigate Preferences and Prejudices in Nagaland’s Building Trade

Kanili Kiho
Dimapur | November 10

Chengyeih Konyak, 28, has been building houses and other structures since 2017 in Mokokchung town. Originally from Mon district of Nagaland, Konyak and his siblings have been residents of Mokokchung district for the past 15 years.

After quitting school, Acheng, as he is called, learnt the basics of construction work by training under a thekadar (contractor) from Uttar Pradesh, based in Mokokchung. He had been in the construction industry for a long time and taught Acheng the basic skills of the trade.

He learnt through hands-on experience the foundation work, masonry, plumbing, plastering and finishing. After practicing under him for more than two years, Acheng was given a chance to construct a building independently, under his guidance. His first project was a success, and since then, there has been no looking back for Acheng.

Mostly stationed in Mokokchung town, he takes on theka (contract) wherever he finds opportunity. While workforce efficiency among the Naga and non-Naga skilled labourers is by and large the same, the owners often prefer to hire the latter, he reveals.

It mainly concerns offering a lower rate per square feet, nonetheless he emphasised that the willingness to hire is within the owner’s discretion according to personal preference. On being asked if the daily wage rate differs among the locals and the non-locals, he clarified that it remains the same for mistri (skilled worker/craftsman) and jugali (helper/labourer).

“Malik generally prefers to give theka to a non-Naga.” However, it is the Naga labourers who actually perform the demanding physical work. He explains the typical work scenario, where the contractor, upon realising that they are likely to incur a loss from the reduced rate charged, abandons the project without notice.

The local labourers are frequently assigned the responsibility of completing the finishing work that is often left unfinished by the thekadars. “We step in when they leave behind halfway.”

Acheng recognises the potential of a ‘construction workers’ union’ to resolve the disparity in job opportunities for locals. “If there is a union, there would be structure in the regulations and wage standards, and we will get better opportunities.” The Naga labour force is no less in terms of skill or competence, he reiterates.

Kiho, a pukkamistri based in Dimapur with over ten years of experience in his profession, shares a similar story. He describes how challenging it is for a Naga to secure a theka consistently throughout the year.

Kiho trained in construction around 2009 but did not begin work immediately. It was in Diphu, Assam, where he put his training into practice, overseeing the construction of a building for Diphu Railway Station. This project boosted his confidence to take on projects independently. A year later, he was assigned to build his brother’s house in Dimapur.

“In my experience, Nagas are quick learners and efficient workers. The problem is many of them are seasonal.” After working for a while, they often leave for jobs outside the state, only to return a few months later. The same labourers frequently leave and come back repeatedly. At this juncture, it is not possible to form a full-Naga labour team, he states. Another tendency he observes is the reluctance among young Naga labourers to work in open spaces, preferring indoor construction work.

“When people see your work, they don’t hesitate to hire you again.”According to him, working in the construction industry is better than holding a Grade IV government job. He covers all aspects of technical work from foundation to masonry, plumbing, plastering, roofing, electrical work to finishing. He handles different projects which include residential homes, churches, public buildings, and government offices.

As a Naga mistri though, he goes without landing a job for another two-three months consecutively. He believes that if Naga labourers remain consistent in this sector, the construction workforce will flourish within the next five to ten years. Provided they receive proper training and guidance through up-skilling and initiatives from industry experts or relevant stakeholders.

During the holidays, students from the eastern region of Nagaland work with him, before returning to their studies, which he considers a positive development.

He maintains a team of regular jugali, mostly from Assam, who stays in Dimapur as long as he has work. While the daily wage rates are generally fixed, the rate for a jugali varies slightly based on their experience.

Another Naga mistri who prefers to remain anonymous recounts an instance where a non-local thekadar referred him to a Naga, only to be turned down. After repeated requests from the former, the owner relented. He was awarded another contract soon after its completion.

He observes that non-Naga thekadars often take on many contracts simultaneously, which slows down work, particularly when they are not physically present to oversee each site. Acheng and Kiho shared the same observation, expressing similar views.

Meanwhile, according to a Naga entrepreneur, “Naga labourers don’t work well, and have a lot of demand.” For head mistri/thekadar, he employs the non-Nagas, who are mostly Muslims. For him, the Nagas have not mastered the art of construction work, albeit, for a few exceptions. They lack skill, he adds, all the while observing that ‘lack of exposure, arrogance, and mindset’ are key challenges faced by the Naga people.

Besides, where the non-local thekadars charge a particular rate, the locals would often charge double, he maintains. For major construction work, the young entrepreneur employs the non-Nagas. Whereas, for traditional skills such as woodworking, precision and artistry, he hires Naga artisans, saying, “We take pride in our fine craftsmanship.”

This is the first report of the four-part series highlighting the experiences and challenges faced by the construction industry in Nagaland as part of the Kohima Press Club & Nagaland Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Media Fellowship 2024. 

Source: https://www.morungexpress.com/bias-barriers-challenge-naga-labourers