The on-going covid-19 pandemic has greatly altered our lives. Initially, we were at a loss as to how to deal with it. However, gradually, we learnt how to live with it. Washing our hands frequently, maintaining social distancing, wearing a mask and using a sanitizer have also settled into our systems. But what can never become acceptable in the history of our country is the way in which the migrant workers were treated during this national crisis. It goes down in history as one of the most inhumane treatments of individuals. With no food, water, shelter or even money, this neglected class of people faced one of the most difficult times of their lives.

The central government had announced that the States where the migrants were working should take the responsibility of their food, shelter and other medical emergencies and they should be allowed to stay wherever they were. But unfortunately the States were not keen to take on the extra burden despite the fact that the centre had allocated free ration for all. The employers did not want to pay or could not pay because business was at a standstill. The house owners refused to allow the migrants to stay on for fear that they might not be able to pay the rent. There were incidents of people forcing the workers to go away from their houses and factories. Sometimes, they were not even allowed to put up on the streets near other’s residences. Added to this some politicians played their own games as always.

The situation had gone so much out of control that these workers were literally forced to leave on foot for their hometowns. There too they had no respite. They were often harassed by the policemen stationed at the state borders. Some of the workers recall the horrid past when food was thrown at the door of a building that was stipulated for distribution of food and amenities. They reiterate their experiences when they felt like dogs and beggars, snatching at each other and trying to acquire a packet of food and some water for themselves.

All they wanted to do was to survive and that too was not easy to this deprived lot of the society. The callous behaviour of the state governments led to the death of several migrant workers in the bid to return home. One such incident was the death of 16 workers on the railway tracks. Reports revealed that these men were so tired of walking kilometre after kilometre on the tracks that they decided to take some rest on the tracks. They were in such deep sleep that none of them could hear the honking of the train’s horn and lost their lives unfortunately. This was reported from Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Another incident revealed that about 200 migrant workers were kept in a small tin shed with a board hanging outside the room that gave instructions on the timing at which these workers were allowed to go out. They felt like animals stuffed together in a vehicle and taken for slaughter. From another perspective, it resembled bonded slavery. Since the time the lockdown began all they were given were a little dry ration and a hundred rupees each; and this was only once. Post that, they were just left in that tiny confinement without any kind of help whatsoever despite the centre’s directives. But some states managed the workers far better than the rest.

Most of the employers across the country just refused their responsibilities towards their workers at a time of crisis such as this. Let alone wages, the employers or the State did not even bother to keep a track of how many such workers were afflicted and needed help of any kind.

It is obvious that the issue of migrant labourers was very badly handled by the authorities. In a true sense, these migrant workers are the real builders of our nation. They build our dams, our roads, our bridges, our factories and our economy. These people deserved a better treatment from both the authorities and the society. Hope we learn from this mistake and take proper care of the migrant workers, who are so important for the development of our nation.
© Arked