Rain spell dampens spirits of daily-wage workers

With no work for so many days at a stretch, labourers have no option but to feed their families at ‘charity distribution points’

Rawalpindi

The domestic budgets of poor daily-wage workers have been badly affected during the ongoing rains. With no work whatsoever, they have no option but to get free food from the 'charity distribution points' at Jamia Masjid Road and other localities of the city. The number of men, women and children has been constantly on the rise at these points, particularly during rainy days, where food is served free of cost by the philanthropists.

A survey conducted by ‘The News’ revealed that a large number of daily-wage workers and their family members visit Jamia Masjid Road, Adiala Road, Bakramandi, Tulsa Chowk, Khayaban-e-Sir Syed, Pirwadhai, Mandi Morr and other localities in search of work, but unfortunately go back empty-handed without any work due to rains. 

Almost 90% of construction work has been stopped by the contractors during rains. 

These days, daily-wage labourers are seen standing under umbrellas waiting for work but they have to return without any luck. In this gloomy scenario, they go back to their homes only after getting free food for their families from the 'charity distribution points'. They remain standing in long queues for hours at Fawara Chowk, Jamia Masjid Road, District Headquarters Hospital, Pirwadhai Bus Stand and some other points where free food is distributed among poor people. Apart from the daily-wage workers, cart-pushers are facing food crisis during rainy days.

'Chacha' Din Muhammad, a ‘tandoor’ owner at Jamia Masjid Road, said "I am running my ‘tandoor’ at this place for 40 years. Well-off people come here to distribute free food among poor people. I have never observed such kind of crowds in my life. These days, a large number of people come here to get free food". There are more than five ‘tandoors’ in this area where philanthropists serve free food to the poor. "But, I have not seen such a large number of poor people before", he said.

Shaukat Mehmood, a 45-year-old daily-wage worker, said that he has been without work for many days. "I have been coming to Adiala Road for 12 years in search of work. When I started, the wage of a daily worker was Rs200. I do labour in construction work but all kinds of construction works have stopped during rains. In routine, I used to earn Rs700 everyday and bought kitchen items, like 2-kilogram ‘atta’ for Rs80, ghee for Rs50, four tea packets for Rs20, red chillies for Rs20 and vegetables. After buying these items, I saved 300 to 400 rupees for other expenses. But now I am without work for many days therefore I go to charity points for free food," he said.

Amjad Hussain, another daily-wage worker, said that his two children have fever for three days and he has no money to get medicines and food for them. "I want to lead a respectable life and I weep when I stand in long queues for hours to get free food," he said. "We don't expect anything from the government and only pray to Allah to stop rains so that we can continue our daily labour," he said with tears rolling down his cheeks.

Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) Director Dr. Muhammad Hanif said that the cloudy weather would continue in the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad for some more days. "The clear weather is expected after a week," he stated.