NEW: 'Lost Work During COVID-19'

Q. Have you ever migrated from here? If yes, how did you choose the city or town?

Construction Worker: I have migrated. One has to go out of their village for employment and wages. I currently work as a labourer in Panvel. Earlier, I used to work in Haryana but during COVID-19, I lost work there and had to move. The wages are good here and there are also arrangements for living and eating.

Q. Do your children migrate with you?

Construction Worker: No, my children and wife do not go with me. They live here in the village with our families. My children go to the government school in the village itself.

Q. Have you tried to avail benefits of the Public Distribution System (PDS) at your workplace by using One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) scheme?

Construction Worker: No, I did not avail benefits of PDS at work. I didn't even feel the need to avail these rations there. Either I buy something from the grocery store by paying money or I get food at work.

Q. Are you registered with the Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board?

Construction Worker: No, I do not have any information about it.

Q. Have you ever worked under MGNREGS?

Construction Worker: No, I have not worked under this scheme.

Q. Did you get any grant or money during the COVID-19 lockdown?

Construction Worker: No, we did not receive any grant or money. Yes, but medicines and masks were given.

This interview was conducted with a Construction Worker in Rajasthan in Hindi on 19 October 2022, and has been translated.

Image Credits: Image by Swastik Arora from Pixabay