Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SP)

Mangaluru, Apr 24: On Saturdays, children of the daily wage workers naturally are expectant that they would be able to get biscuits, toffees or some sweets from their parents and therefore they eagerly await the return of the parents. That is the day on which the workers get the price of their six-day hard work. But because Saturday is a curfew day, there is uncertainty in the air.

In addition to night curfew on other days, the government has announced total lockdown on Saturdays and Sundays. This indirectly has delivered a blow to the workers who get their pay on Saturdays. They not only lose their salary for a day but they will face problems with making purchases, repay loans etc. The contractors too face problems as they have to bear the burden of the labourers not working that day. Even though construction activity is allowed, because of the absence of transport on 'Saturdays and Sundays, the workers may have to stay away from work.

Now the contractors will be compelled to disburse wages to the workers on Friday itself instead of Saturdays. Some contractors are planning to directly credit the accounts of the workers wherever possible. People working in cashew factories and beedi companies face the prospect of losing a day’s income.

Electricity workers, who are already having work burden, may have toil harder as Saturdays will be curfew days. If the workers go out to repair power disruptions, they will be stopped by the police. The workers who work the whole day will find it hard to get food and tea.