Data released by the Karnataka police has revealed a significant presence of migrant labourers from Assam in the state's key coffee-growing region. According to official figures, approximately 22,000 workers from Assam are currently employed across coffee plantations in the three Malnad districts of Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru, and Hassan.
Official Data and Local Apprehensions
The workers fall under the jurisdiction of 39 police stations in these districts. The disclosure came in response to a question raised by MLC Arathi Krishna in the legislative assembly. Home Minister G Parameshwara informed the house that the Chikkamagaluru district administration has developed a dedicated website to maintain records of migrant labourers from Assam. He added that police stations across the region are also keeping separate registers for these workers.
However, the growing numbers have sparked concerns among local residents. They have alleged that the influx has contributed to an increase in petty crimes, including offences related to wildlife. The community has urged local authorities, especially the police, to verify the backgrounds of these workers before they are employed.
District-Wise Breakdown and Labour Shift
A detailed district-wise analysis shows that Kodagu accounts for the highest number with 15,177 Assam migrant labourers, primarily working in coffee and tea plantations. Chikkamagaluru follows with 4,729 such workers, while Hassan has 2,207 registered with local police stations.
Manu Somaiah, the district president of the Karnataka Rajya Raitha Sangha, provided context to this migration trend. He stated that large-scale migration from Assam began nearly a decade ago and has now evolved into a major demographic shift. Somaiah estimates that the actual number in Kodagu alone could be around 20,000, higher than the police data.
He explained the economic drivers behind this change. Plantations in Kodagu traditionally depended on workers from Hunsur, Nanjangud, HD Kote, and parts of Tamil Nadu. With local developmental activities offering alternative employment, labour from these traditional sources declined, forcing plantation owners to seek workers from distant states like Assam.
Wages, Work Culture, and Calls for Scrutiny
The current daily wage for Assam labourers ranges between Rs 500 and Rs 700. Somaiah highlighted that this migration also provides employment opportunities for women, which is less common in their home state. He contrasted the work patterns, noting that local labourers often work for about 5.5 hours a day, while migrants from Assam typically work for nearly eight hours.
Despite acknowledging the economic necessity, Somaiah pointed to altered local dynamics, including the perceived rise in crime. He has called on the police to rigorously verify the Aadhaar cards submitted by migrant workers to ensure that no false information is being provided, aiming to address security concerns while maintaining the labour supply crucial for the plantation economy.
