There are several things in life, which are taken for granted. Until a crisis crops up nobody bothers about their very existence.

Drivers, Dhobis, those who iron your clothes, cab drivers, auto-rikshaw drivers, cycle-rikshaw drivers, maid servants, agricultural workers, coconut-tree climbers, childcare providers, hand-embroidery artisans, street vendors, manual loaders, salt pan workers, sweepers, construction labourers , stone quarry workers, bead makers and small shop vendors… and the list is long.

It is the usual practice to take them for granted.

They have no assured monthly income, no security of job, no DA, no mandatory increment, no ESI, no medical coverage, no assistance for children’s education, no pension and no PF.

They are termed the unorganised sector workers. Economic Survey and Budget proposals are of little consequence to them.

Not that our ‘welfare’ Government has not enacted any legislation for them. Not less than 25 welfare boards have been constituted. Yet, a majority of the unorganised workers have not received benefits such as housing, employment, wage regulation and coverage under the ESI.

A large number of unorganised sector workers staged a demonstration in Chennai on Monday demanding that they be covered under the Employees’ State Insurance scheme. It is high time they are recognized as fellow human beings.

HR