P. A. Chacko
Today one relevant question that needs to be addressed is who is the so-called ‘migrant worker’? In Kerala, the southern Indian state of India, the term attributed to labourers from other states and working in Kerala are called ‘Guest Workers.’ A friendly term indeed without any condescension!
But in the rest of India they are called migrant workers or inter-state workers because the understanding is that they migrate from one state to another.
In fact it makes a lot of difference when we use appropriate and non-derogatory terms to address people who supply important services.
Because they migrate to another state, they are not aliens from another planet. They are Indian citizens like any others. They have the right to claim constitutionally guaranteed fundamental rights and privileges when they are in their profession.
During the Covid 19 period, convoluted scenes were played out by the owners of capital, factory owners, multiplex owners, contractors, etc. The workers were ordered out of the premises at the sign of a midnight knock. They were told that they were not needed any more. That meant they had only use and throw value like a sugar cane piece reduced to a residue after extracting the juice.
The government in fact gave the indication of a national lockout just four days in advance and the work in different sectors had to be stopped. Hence, the marching orders.
Who were the sufferers? The workers who became victims of neglect and abandonment! They found themselves literally on the road without a roof over their heads. With the precious little of their personal belongings they marshalled out like a barefoot army, men and women directing their steps to their far away homes in other states.
News joint Goan Observer raised the issue:
‘What guarantee did the 45 million interstate migrant workers get the day they were suddenly, without notice, deprived of their livelihood (the right to carry out any trade guaranteed under Article19(1)(g), they had no food or shelter and many were not even given their wages for the work already done. Their desperate situation forced millions of the migrant workers to pack their meagre belongings and begin walking home – to their villages, sometimes 500 km away.’
For days they received no help of transport from any quarters. Trains and public transport were grounded. As they crossed different states on their homeward journey with swollen legs and on empty stomachs, some died in exhaustion and hunger. Some were run over by speeding vehicles. 16 of them were torn to shreds by a speeding goods train even when it was announced that no trains world run. The victims were walking along the rail line hoping to find the next rail station. But, under cover of darkness and, feeling exhausted, they slept over the rail the track knowing that the government had announced non-running of trains. But they paid with their lives fort the neglect of the railway administration.
Some others had the temporary consolation of getting transportation by trucks or other four wheelers but soon a quite many of them found their end when the vehicles collided or tumbled over.
So, the lives of the migrant workers have been so cheap as to end up either on the road trekking hundreds of miles, or getting killed in unforeseen but avoidable accidents.
The walking workers were also met with many NGO groups with food packets, water bottles etc. It was consoling for them to see the concern of the civil society by reaching out to them poor, hungry and exhausted. Indeed, a praiseworthy act of charity by those who had empathetically reached out.
But there were fall outs too. Some demonstrated their ‘charity’ as a charity shop operation to win points. Some did it to outsmart others to show they can do better. Some used it a photo-op, employing photographers. Even some religious personnel were not far behind in these street theatricals.
Someone has raised a pertinent point: Is it not an act of vilification to consider the migrant worker as an outsider and isn’t it an insult to him by making him stand beside you for a photo flash while you are handing over a packet of food provisions? Well questioned.
This question should be considered a very pertinent one as far as the agencies who are rendering help to people affected by Covid dilemma, particularly the migrant and job-deprived people who have been on the road struggling to reach their homes hundreds of miles away.
On the one hand, there is the government’s call to all NGOS and civilians to come to the aid of people needing economic help in the time lock down. But the catch is that the government will want to weigh your organisation or association by the proof you present to the government to that effect. That will be your credit-seeking card for laurels.
So, therefore, quite many organisations are falling over one another to open wayside charity shops to render help. Charity helps, true! When it is genuine, out of human concern, not out of any prescription, it refreshes the body and mind of the receiver. That is where empathy is in the driving seat.
But, what is disconcerting is when, out of journalistic splash, or for photo-op kick, it is a feast of photographs. Photographs, taken in different angles! And they are published in newsletters, journals, publications, on social media, etc. to establish the prominence and providence of the do-gooder.
Such acts are not humanitarian but intended to satisfy our inner urge to demonstrate our prowess in feeding the poor or helping the needy. When the so-called charity becomes an act of demonstration for admiration, the act loses its merit. You are using the receiver as an object of your misplaced pity. There may be sympathy, but what is missing is ‘feeling with’, empathy. You try to become a good salesman of charity for your organisation, while you turn the other a victim.
There was this video on social media intended to go viral for public admiration. It showed a group of youngsters throwing food packets to passengers inside a truck carrying migrant workers. The running commentary was something like this: ‘Do you recognise the face of the one who is in the forefront throwing these packages? You can’t miss him. He is our famous Mr. So and So who won laurels for the nation by his glorious performance. He is our hero. See how he is helping the poor migrants. His father is the famous so-called So and So too!’ Yes, throwing charity to the victims out there! Here empathy has taken a backseat and your search for fame is in the driving seat of your Ego.
Priests and pundits, religious heads and organisations, politicians and their agents are in this helping activity. Many are genuine and doing it out of empathy, genuine concern. They are moved by the good humanitarian principles of their religious establishment. But, the way many others demonstrate their ‘charity’ by displaying and publishing their activities is disgusting and such demonstration is devoid of merit. The other day someone was heard to say, ‘why are they vulgarising charity as trade?’ Food for thought indeed!
The Bible is instructive. Philippians 2.3-4: In whatever you do, don’t let selfishness or pride be your guide. Be humble, and honour others more than yourselves.
Matthew 6.2: When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do – blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth: they have received already all the reward they will ever get.