Daily wage labourers still find it hard to get work

A group of 15-20 men in their late 40s sitting at the pavement on a busy road at Bahrat Nagar near New Friends colony will catch your attention. Their bags are heavy and eyes wait for a possible customer who could give them work for a day. They are daily wagers like carpenters, plumbers, rajmistris (head masons)and painters. They are silent sufferers of demonetisation struggling to make ends meet in the present cash crunch.

50-year-old Swami Nath is the first one to come and narrate his ordeal. His voice is mixed with anger and emotions. “I have planned my son’s marriage this March. I thought I will save some money but saving seems to be a distant dream now. I am struggling to send money home,” Swami Nath is in Delhi for the past 35 years.

Another man, 54-year-old Shameem steps up adjusting his saw and hammer in his half torn bag. He too is vocal enough to express his anguish. “Do we have a choice if someone comes up and says he is going to pay less than what we demand. They are offering lower pays and exploiting the cash crunch situation.”

The usual rates of the daily wagers as told to Millennium Post is as follows; Carpenter-Rs 800 for a single shift. Rajmistris and painters are paid around Rs 600 and the labourer is the lowest paid at around Rs 400 per shift.

Reyaz, a 40-year-old carpenter says: “Post demonetisation, there has also been a decline in the usual renovation or construction work affecting the daily wagers directly.”

In the meantime, the whole crowd of labourers rush to two men on a motorbike who are potential one-day employers. The group of men could be seen bargaining with the men on bike. They, however, return empty handed. Things are certainly not going their way and these men are struggling to make ends meet.