Domestic workers an economically and socially disadvantaged group, are an inevitable part of middle class and upper class family life. But how did they manage during lock down? Mostly female workers, they provide service only when they come out of the house. For them having no work means there is no food for several days. How did they negotiate the fear and panic surrounding of corona virus and the loss of work ??What could be the mental agony and other issues putting on them during lock down? What can be done for betterment of their life?
Inviting discussions and suggestions...
Thanks @Itishree Padhi for raising awareness about this group in this time. Unfortunately, most families are suffering now with lack of income after losing their jobs due to the lockdown. This might leave them with no food for a certain time as you mentioned. In regards to this matter , we need to understand and carefully think about the consequences. Here is a scenario; I am a house hold who lost his/ her job and need to accommodate to my family needs and I am responsible for paying bills, with no saving! How, I could survive? What I can do without income? I will be like if I have some saving or if I can get family support at this time when possibl, otherwise I will rely on bank debts with interest. Accordingly, you can imagine how much stress I might live and what sequencing will have on me mentally and financially. In my opinion, community help and support is important at this time to support the workers and their families. It is a perfect time to stand with each other and shows our solidarity and this what we are doing in my country.I am not quite sure whether un employment benefits could be applicable in all countries, but I liked what the USA applied in regards to this issue by adapting the un employment programs to support people who their work has been affected by the lockdown.
Thank you so much Narjes Alfuraiji
for vividly elaborting the issue with your clear understanding and realisation.
Senza alcun dubbio le misure di contenimento attivate per contrastare l'epidemia coronavirus hanno creato enormi difficoltà per i lavoratori informali (in particolar modo le donne), i quali, a seguito di ciò, sono a forte rischio di povertà estrema. Questo dovuto anche al fatto che gli stessi settori lavorativi dei lavoratori informali sono tra i più colpiti dalle misure di contenimento. Peraltro, questa crisi dei lavoratori informali coinvolge in modo molto forte le famiglie, in quanto, nella maggior parte dei casi, è il lavoratore informale a mantenere l'intero nucleo familiare. Pertanto, i governi, per evitare gravi crisi sia economiche che sociali, devono intervenire in maniera tempestiva e determinata.
The plight of the economically disadvantaged is a terrible thing to consider in this covid crisis. Neither food was available nor the money to buy groceries. As the cycle is vicious, the entire community takes the brunt of this financial breakdown.
The governments are trying to provide for the essentials (rice / pulses) through ration shops. What we can do as general public is to take care of those around us - Swaach bharath workers, municipality workers, roadside dwellers. This can be in the form of providing them cooked food / rice / provisions / clothing. NGOs if available would do a great job in reaching them. Anganwadi staff can also guide to catering the need of the people. Nevertheless this is a tough time which may go on for sometime, but together we can make a difference, for this too will pass.
Mostly they are illiterate and react to the false news unreasonably. Like in the current pandemic some media cells are propagating corona as a worldwide pre-planned game and many such news. These lies spread like a fire in jungle, hence this working class pursue negligence.
Another excuse which is most prominent is that, the working class were used to living in such conditions that their immunity is already strong, which validate their choice of earning livelihood.
Lastly, they decide to work because they don't have any savings on which they may rely, more or less the wrong religious beliefs are also found stronger in them which they use to refer the most. "The night in grave is written by God". So corona is not ana issue for them.
Hope this helps you.
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