Better income, double pay for overtime are major reasons labourers from UP, Bihar seek work in Delhi
Better income, double the money for overtime work and housing facilities are one of the major reasons why labourers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar come to the national capital in search of a better livelihood. While most of the labourers in Narela Industrial Area reside within the factories itself, most labourers in Bawana Industrial Area reside in Metro Vihar, a nearby JJ colony.
Ever since the fire tragedy in the area, labourers, who were once excited about switching jobs for a better source of income, are re-thinking whether they should even step out of their homes to work. While some have joined back, there are some, especially women, who are wondering what they should do now.
The cracker factory where 17 persons were killed — out of which nine were women — had more women working at the factory in comparison to males. They were required to pack 'cold' fire-crackers and since the job required a certain kind of skill, mostly women were hired by the factory owner.
Pooja, 28, a mother of three, lost her husband some years back and has been residing with her mother ever since. Her mother Manju Devi, who cried while she came to see the factory after the blaze, was happy that her daughter was alive but wondered what she would do now in order to feed herself.
"She has three children. The earlier factory she worked at also shut and after that she joined here. It had only been three days of work for her," said Devi.
Pooja and her elder sister Sudha, 35, had joined the factory together and when they reached on the first day they were asked to pack some circular objects which had a sticker on them saying 'Holi ke dhamake'.
After the first day, their 18-year-old cousin also started working with them. On one occasion, Sudha realised that the material she was packing had gun powder in it. She even informed the supervisor but he didn't pay any heed. Knowing that she would not be able to get a new job, she continued working there. The three now are looking for another job.
The three women's stories are not unique. There are many other families who have lost their sole breadwinners and are now struggling to find new work. Many have only single parents left while one of them has lost her sister and mother and is struggling to take care of her mentally challenged father.
While Bawana sees a large number of women being employed here, labourers in the Narela Industrial Area are mostly males and prefer residing inside the factories. The strange part is that they are well aware of the factory owners lack of regard for safety norms and hence take care of safety on their own.
A labourer from Samastipur working at a footwear factory said, "I have been working here for a long time and I know the owners are not bothered and some of the factory units are hired premises so many of us just take care of safety on our own. We have collected money and have installed fire extinguishers on our own. At the end of the day we need to earn the money so we might as well be safe."
EARNING A LIVING AT THE COST OF LIFE
- Better income, double pay for overtime are major reasons labourers from UP, Bihar seek work in Delhi.
- Industries in Bawana employ more women while Narela sees more male labourers.
- Labourers are aware that owners of the factories they work at have no regard for safety norms.
- Many families have lost their sole breadwinner and are now struggling to find work.
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 "Narela Industrial Area")
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