Ludhiana, Sept. 18 -- Industry leaders in Ludhiana have issued a strong warning that the rising anti-immigrant sentiment, sparked by a recent incident in Hoshiarpur, poses a significant threat to Punjab's economy. In a letter to chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Badish Jindal, president of the World MSME Forum, highlighted the state's deep dependency on its migrant workforce.

Jindal's letter underscores that approximately 80% of the unskilled labour across Punjab's industries is comprised of migrants. He stated that over 18 lakh migrant labourers play a crucial role not only in industries but also in farms, shops, and homes throughout the state. Ludhiana alone employs around 8 lakh migrant workers.

The reliance on this workforce extends to ...