Stories

Tue, 07 Apr 2026

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 Indian migrant workers hit by cooking gas shortages are leaving cities

Migrant workers say they are struggling to access cooking gas cylinders as the Iran war squeezes supplies.

* Many migrant workers in India, particularly those living in slums and working as domestic helpers, are struggling to access cooking gas cylinders due to a shortage caused by disruptions in global shipments.
* The war in the Middle East has strained Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) supplies in India, which relies heavily on imports through the Strait of Hormuz.
* Migrant workers who rely on informal networks to buy cooking gas are worried about having to return to their villages if the situation does not improve.
* Many people have already returned to their villages due to the shortage, with news reports and visuals showing crowded railway stations and bus terminals.
* The government has said there is no shortage of LPG and is ramping up domestic production and securing more supplies from other countries, but migrant workers remain concerned.
* Some experts say that if the situation continues, it could have a significant impact on micro, small and medium enterprises in labor-intensive sectors such as construction, textiles, and manufacturing.
* Migrant workers often do not have the right documents to obtain LPG cylinders legally, making it difficult for them to access cooking gas.
* Informal centers that sell and refill smaller cylinders are shutting down or charging exorbitant prices, leaving many migrant workers without alternatives.