$7 to $8 a Day to survive Shows the Struggle of Daily Wage Workers in Patna

source

A disturbing news I read has had me thinking about exactly how some workers survive.

In Patna, Bihar recently, around 500 daily wage sanitation workers protested outside the Patna Municipal Corporation office and it was over the pay as most cases usually is.

They had a very simple demand which after doing a little research, I believe is well deserving. They demanded fair wages and recognition for their long service. They didn't need to demand because they were promised higher pay months ago, but sadly that increase has not yet reflected in their salaries.

It's not easy when your salary can't take care of all necessities but it's more frustrating when you've been promised a salary that might be able to and yet it hasn't been given to you. In that situation you work hard thinking and believing there's hope but all that is ahead of you is disappointment.

If there's a vital lesson I've learned about how economies run, it is that the daily wage workers are the backbone of all cities.

They clean the streets, manage waste and keep the environment healthy. Take these people out and life in urban areas would be too difficult and very unhygienic

Regardless, people that work in this sector are almost always treated poorly or unfairly in terms of wages. They work long hours in some of the toughest conditions which your average Boss will pass out spending a few hours in. But they are not given the same respect or pay as permanent employees. Even permanent employees are suffering with unfair treatment so for the daily wage workers, it's almost hell. Yeah, some love their jobs and it's good money for some but not for most.

This issue is clearly seen in Patna’s sanitation workers. The standing committee made a decision to increase their wages from Rs 572 to Rs 654 for supervisors and Rs 522 to Rs 604 for workers, but it's been months and nothing has changed. For those unfamiliar with the rates in USD, that's what I converted in the title.

They're not asking for luxury or extra perks, just what is rightfully theirs. They work hard every day and even risk their health while doing so, yet they are denied fair compensation.

You can see an obvious pay disparity between daily wage workers and permanent employees who do similar work. Yes the issue is more nuanced but unfair is unfair and this is unfair.

This kind of situation does not only affect their livelihood but also their dignity. Imagine if being a wage worker got you more money enough to live good, more people will seek after those jobs and will do so with pride and joy. But when people work hard and are still treated unequally, it sends a message that their efforts and lives do not matter. As workers they have gotten that message and that's why they retaliate.

A protests like this shows me the level of desperation of the workers. A sanitation worker said that neither the government nor PMC wants to understand their problems so that leaves them with no choice but to raise their voices publicly. This is the right thing to do because if you keep silence they'll make it even worse for you.

My main point is around standing against a system that treats workers unfairly. The government and municipal authorities must listen to them and take them seriously or you're going to start driving your tax paid car through a lot of dirty roads. Fair treatment should not be optional, it is a responsibility of the administration, that's why they're there.

This issue however is not limited to Patna, across India, millions of daily wage workers face similar problems. They clean the streets, deliver the goods and serve in many other critical roles and get overlooked when it comes to being rewarded well enough.

Society can never make progress while ignoring the basic rights of these essential workers.

I read the news from this website

Screenshot of image was taken from the same site