The Migrant Worker
An Indian Migrant Worker's Story
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By Ananya Mohan
about
We are living through an unprecedented situation. For several, this time exists as nothing more than an inconvenience of a lockdown.
This current hardship, however, is the least we can do for those more vulnerable than us in society.
This includes the large population of migrant workers in India who have been forced to walk hundreds of miles due to a nationwide lockdown and a lack of resources, such as any public transport. This is only a part of their struggle, in a time where we should help each other, these workers have been treated with disrespect.
The following articles are only a small percentage of their struggles,
but they aim to bring these people to light as they are an essential part of our society.
a great exodus?
As the nation went into lockdown, so did the means of income for millions of migrant workers. These daily wage workers live from salary to salary, away from their homes, in order to provide for their families. But what happens when the city shuts down? What happens when there is no job to earn from? What happens when all public transport stops overnight? With no salary, no way to pay rent or buy food, they have no choice but to trek hundreds of miles back to their hometowns in order to survive.
The physical impact of walking for 5 days straight, with extremely limited food sources, is beyond something anyone had imagined, let alone had prepared for. Shoes got worn out, swelling and injuries being inevitable. People starved, claiming hunger as the reason for their deaths, not the virus.
Over 20 lives have been lost. Yes, a global scale pandemic isn't something anyone was prepared for, but after a point that stops justifying the ignorance that has been shown towards the lower sects of our society.
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To know more, here is an article by the Washington Post regarding this topic.
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is this abandonment?
While thousands began their journey back home on foot, several other thousands throbbed amongst crowds in bus terminals in a different effort to get back home.
Beyond the extreme physical hardship many were enduring on their journey, situations like this one has even worse repercussions. Narendra Modi, the Indian Prime Minister's plea and the basic guideline of social distancing to limit the spread of the virus, was not only broken, but shattered, when thousands of workers gathered at bus stations hoping to catch one of the limited buses still operational.
In one of Delhi's busiest bus terminals, though many had collected soon after the lockdown was announced, they continued to stay there for days with no luck. Delhi is not only a hub for many jobs for the migrant workers, it is also a transit point in between neighboring states, making the situation even more dire.
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Viewing this, the Central government has continued to urge state governments to set up temporary accommodation for stranded migrants across the country as a possible solution.
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To know more, here is an article by India Today regarding this topic.
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still people, right?
It isn't about the action itself, more about the execution. Are world travelers lined up on the side of the road and hosed down with disinfectant? No.
If a person who travelled through several airports, without knowing who they have been in contact with, from countries that have been affected even worse than India, can be examined in a civil manner upon entry, why can't we find similar measures for these workers crossing the border?
It is ironic that these men, women and children, who were traveling into the city of Bareilly, in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, have to face this when so many others are treated differently and better. Yes, there is a lack in resources when it comes to such medical examinations; equipment, personnels and even time. But, again, these reasons only go so far when the basic tenants of humanity aren't upheld. There is a significant gap in the knowledge available to many people across the nation. The need of the situation is understandable, but one can't help but wish if the same action could have been executed better.
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To know more, here is an article by BBC regarding this topic.
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how can we help?
Treat the migrant workers with respect.
It is disheartening to witness all this and not be able to do anything about it, but the least we are capable of doing is to show them the kindness they deserve, simply as fellow human beings.
There are numerous number of families and organizations doing their part in simple, yet impactful ways. The most direct way of helping from home is to continue paying the employees that help you in your household, even if they aren't able to come do their job. It is almost disappointing to hear about such workers being laid off, when it is not even their fault a global pandemic is happening and their safety is at risk.
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Listed below are just a few out of countless organizations who care, and the ways they are helping.
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aarti home
Aarti home is a shelter for abandoned children located in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh. ​This organization has been extremely focused towards making relief efforts since the pandemic began. They have provided food, spread awareness, and even sewed cotton masks for distribution. They have worked tirelessly alongside the local police department to distribute these provisions to the migrant, daily-wage workers and several other people in need during this critical period.
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Do check out their website here to continue following their COVID 19 efforts.
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vision unlimited
Vision unlimited is an organization that focuses on everyday giving to those in need. They have been working tirelessly with a small school for girls that they have been supporting in the past, by sewing masks for distribution in their community. They have not only paid for the materials for this project, but have also provided the working women with a compensation.
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Do check out their website here to continue following their COVID 19 efforts.
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