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KARACHI, Aug 5: Millions of manual labourers like diggers, carpenters, masons, painters, cobblers, construction workers, etc, have no labour rights, social security cover and other facilities industrial workers employed in government or private organisations enjoy.
Diggers are among the most vulnerable as they work in risky conditions. They contribute heavily to public sector development projects digging roads and streets for laying and shifting power, telephone and water-sewerage lines often with conventional tools.
There is a large number of unreported cases of serious injuries and even disabilities to these workers while performing their duties. But in case of an injury, no one takes care of them. These poor workers have to bear the expenditure of their medical treatment due to the lack of any institutional support or security cover.
Such labourers are hired from the roadside mostly at main roads and roundabouts in Liaquatabad, Gulberg, Gulshan Chowrangi, Hasan Square, Quaidabad, Sohrab Goth, Tariq Road, Lasbela, Banaras, various points of M.A. Jinnah Road and other areas of the metropolis.
They are generally paid between Rs150 to Rs300 for a day of long, hard work. Sometimes they are seen begging for bus fare to return home if they are unable to find work. Most of them belong to the upcountry areas and are illiterate, having no idea about workers’ rights and work injury compensation or details of a hiring contract.
According to the Development of Analysis Research Team, a consultancy firm, the minimum cost of maintaining a modest living standard required for a family of four and elderly parents living together is at least Rs15,500 per month. However, these manual workers can only dream of such an income.
The current study calculated the average daily wages for carpenters in 2006 (July-March) is Rs383.6, masons Rs407.6, and manual labourers Rs239.2. Based on these estimates their monthly income (26 working days per month) turned out to be Rs9,973.6, Rs10,597.6 and Rs6,219.6 per month, respectively.—PPI
