SHRAM KO NAMANC E N T R E F O R N E W E C O N O M I C S S T U D I E S

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PHOTOGRAPHS BY JIGNESH MISTRY TEXT BY ADVAITA SINGH

PHOTO ESSAY

PUNE, INDIA- A MAN MAKES AWAY THROUGH BAMBOO

BARRICADES IN ACONTAINMENT ZONE AT

YERWADA AREA IN PUNE CITYON MAY 09, 2020

S H R A M K O N A M A N

PHOTO ESSAY

Pune, India- Deserted Mumbai-Banglore Highway as Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced "JanataCurfew", a Voluntary curfew for citizens of India amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 novel

coronavirus at Chandani Chowk, Pune city on March 22, 2020.

The COVID-19 Pandemic hasexacerbated the existing gaps insocial class and privilege. Thefaultlines of class in our society thatrun deep and wide are clearer now,more than ever. While the quarantineis taking its toll on almost everycitizen, certain sections of our societyare still vexed with access to food andbasic necessities. During this state ofuncertainty and global turmoil,migrant workers are perhaps facingthe most pressing adversities of all.

THE SHRAMIK (WORKERS)FAR FROM HOME...

Pune, India- Bags are seen lined up as People wait in a Ration linefor food grains amid Government imposed nationwide lockdown in

Pune city, India on April 27, 2020.

'Migrant workers' are often describedas those workers who migrate withintheir own country or outside it topursue work with no intention ofstaying permanently at their area ofemployment.  Due to the way it hasbeen defined, the term 'migrantworker' cuts across people in differentindustries and income groups toencompass a large section of thesociety that has changed addressesfor work. However, people withhigher-income and stable jobs enjoymany privileges that have made thelockdown quite comfortable. Only asubset of the group of migrantworkers is facing woes of thepandemic. This subset includesseasonal workers, manual labourersand individuals characteristicallyinvolved in physical labour in lowpaying jobs. These are the migrantworkers that need governmentsupport and attention.

Pune, India- Migrant Sugarcane workers push the cart upside down at Sant Tukaram Sugar Factory at Kasarsai-Darumbre village in Pune district on April 20, 2020. The Maharashtra state government has decided to allow over

a lakh migrant sugarcane workers to return to their native village amid Government imposed nationwideLockdown.

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Pune, India- A young stranded Migrant worker waits at a school groundat Shirur village on Pune-Ahmednagar Highway near Pune city, India onMay 13, 2020. Pune Rural Police stopped workers from travelling ahead

to Maharashtra borders as arrangements were made via Train andBuses for the migrants to native states amid Government imposed

nationwide Lockdown as a preventive measure against the COVID-19coronavirus.

Pune, India- Stranded Migrant workers stand in a queue for medical health certificate at District Hospital in Aundh amidGovernment imposed nationwide Lockdown in Pune city, India on May 04, 2020

Pune, India- Pune Police detained citizens Violating lockdown ordersat Swargate area amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19

novel corona virus in Pune city, India on April 16, 2020

During this outbreak, work andemployment have not come to astandstill for many people. The work-from-home policy being adopted bymany corporates is offering savinggrace to multiple employees. However,due to the physical and manual natureof their job, migrant workers likeconstruction workers, domestic help,street hawkers, manual labourers etc.are unable to resume their work at fullswing. For instance, most constructionprojects have been brought to atemporary halt, and subsequently,demand for physical labour has fallen.Thus, the pandemic has brewed astate of intense uncertainty for thesedaily wage workers who have beennow pushed to the margins.

Pune, India- Stranded Migrant workers climb a truck travelling toUttarpradesh at Shikrapur village on Pune-Ahmednagar Highway near

Pune city on May 12, 2020

Pune, India- Migrant workers fromUttar Pradesh state stand in a queue at

Pune railway station in Pune city onMay 09, 2020

Pune, India- Vendors maintain Social distance ata temporary Vegetable and Fruit Market at

Golibar Maidan planned by Pune Cantonmentoffice amid concerns over the spread of theCOVID-19 novel corona virus in Pune city on

April 01, 2020

The problems faced by the migrantworker seem endless. The absence ofemployment has cut off their source ofincome and livelihood. Their lowincomes and wages generated little orno savings in the past to fall back onduring these rainy days. Access to basicnecessities is a struggle while theseworkers wait in long serpentine lines forgovernment support and rationed food.In the midst of these existential perils,other problems surround theseworkers. For instance, the issue oftravel. During these perilous times,many workers

would prefer to be back in theirhometowns with the rest of theirfamilies. However, travelrestrictions and lack of money toexplore more expensivealternatives forbid that fromhappening. Moreover, migrantworkers often do not havestable and proper housing intheir city of work. Thus, thequestion of home and housingarises for them as well.

The government is trying to offer relief and aid to such migrant workers, for instance,through relief camps. Unfortunately, these solutions come in a package with long linesand bureaucratic red-tapism. Battling the issues of survival and livelihood, clad in face

masks, the migrant workers patiently wait for the times to improve.

Pune, India- Patients recovered from Corona Virus are welcomed by doctors and staff at the campus ofNational Institute of Construction Management and Research (NICMAR), an Isolation ward at Baner area,Pune city on May 10, 2020. Twenty four Corona Virus negative patients were sent home on the same day.

Pune, India- Rooms are lit up as word "HOPE" of a 5-star hotel as to mark to end the spread of the COVID-19 novel corona virus Pandemic in Pune city, India on April 09, 2020.

Pune, India- Pedestrians cross a wall painting creating awareness against Corona virus at Dahanukarcolony amid concerns over the spread of the COVID-19 novel corona virus in Pune city on March 26, 2020

JIGNESH MISTRY is a Pune-based freelancephotojournalist. He has been in the field for over

10 years. He started his career as a nightshift newsphotographer at a daily tabloid during hisgraduation. Since then, his work has been

published at multiple magazines, wire agenciesand national newspapers. He is also involved in

undertaking photography workshops for studentsin academic institutions. Currently, he is a regularcontributor at The Hindu, The Press Trust of India

and the International Wire Agencies.

ADVAITA SINGH is Research Analyst at Centre for NewEconomics Studies.