A human tragedy in Qutar

                                            A human tragedy in Qatar

The front page news in The Hindu under the heading, “Is world cup killing Indian workers?”  on May 31^st disturbed my mind instantly. There  is an explanation regarding the statistics concerning the mortality rate among Indian migrant workers who are engaged in construction activities in Qatar which are plenty due to the world cup event in 2022 . The general view that, “statistics is very carelessly collected and carefully presented” is proved right   in this matter.

It is reported that, 1093 Indian workers have died between 2011 and 2015 in Qatar.

It seems that, the year 2014 witnessed highest Indian workers death in Qatar which works out to be .5 per thousand populations since, the Indian migrants in 2013 was 5.8 lakh.

 The point of consolation seems to be based on the comparison  between the death rate in India and Qatar for the 15-59  age group i.e., it is, “4.1 per thousand in India according to the record of Registrar General of India and that is over eight times the death rate in Qatar”

 The Hindu further reports that, “the statistics cited by FIFA take into account only the incidents that occur in the foot ball stadium” indicating an understatement of the real situation regarding the mortality rate among Indian workers.

For the media, statistical analysts and the readers it has only news value which would be forgotten once the news paper is closed. But if we bother to spend few minutes to ponder over the human aspect of this report our hearts will be saddened. Who are these Indian workers? They are manual laborers ready to work hard, even under the most inhuman conditions and extreme whether conditions in the foreign countries under the impression that, they would get far better salary than what they would get otherwise in India, for the same hours of work. They venture to face all types of risks in unknown counties without even knowing about the provisions of the labour laws which would ensure compensation in case accidents or death. They decide to go out of the country for the sake of providing better standard of life to their family members, so that, the next generation would be able to equip themselves with tools of empowerment like education, skill training and better health facilities. The basic aim is the dream of welfare of their families which the Indian salary would not provide.

 For the readers it is yet another data on mortality rate. But , can the families who have lost the earning member and the head of the families console their hearts and minds by the fact that ,  higher mortality rate of Indian labourers in  the 15- 59 age group is higher in India than in Qatar? Won’t the fact that, their fathers lost their lives in an attempt to provide them a better standard of life haunt them for ever? Can’t the government of India, just think for a minute the plight of the future of these families and arrange for awareness creation programmes to the labour community regarding dangers that they would face if, they take up jobs in countries like Qatar which believes in slavery   and bonded labour system even in this century, instead of arguing over with the authenticity of the statistical reporting by journalists?  Let our government at least analyse these factors from human angle and rush to the aid of the victims. “If the Qatar development model is based on enslaved model” as reported by Sharan Burrow, the Secretary General of the International Trade Union Confederation ( in the interview given to the Hindu ) let the Indian government raise this issue of abuse of labour rights by countries like Qatar in the internationals forums, since, the  number of workers going abroad for better survival from India  is significant . Let not the government of India wastes it’s  energy over arguments over the authentic source  of  the statistical data in this matter. Our government has the moral responsibility to take care of the welfare of our workers who are in toiling under such  in such cruel conditions in countries where the humans are treated like beasts of burden.   

lessons to be learnt

                                                       Lessons to be  learnt

(My article published in alive magazine , July-2015  issue )

Indian women of all ages should learn to do and not to do certain things if they want to live and die  with dignity in this great country called India (According to the mind set of many Indians)

Don’t do  list .

• Girls of all ages should reach home before sunset ,. That means ,they should not participate in events other than their academic  duties

• They should not  have  carrier ambition  so that they will not be  not exposed to any dangers waiting in the work places.  That means, they should not  aim to achieve something in their life through  making use of the knowledge they  have  gained through their higher or professional education.

• They all should dress up like senior women and should not  wear make up . That means ,they refrain from  attracting any man through their colourful and trendy dresses and invite dangers of sexual harassment.

• They should get married as early as possible .That means ,the responsibility of  security and safety of girls can be shifted to a robust young men from aged fathers.

• They  should not use any public or private vehicle or  lift or subway when they are alone. That means , always move with a crowd or wait till a crowd gathers.

•  They  should learn to be docile and not exhibit their intelligence or smartness even if they happen to be working in a 9-5 job . That  means, they can protect themselves from the envy or irritation and anger of  their male colleagues and thereby escape  from dangerous attack on their  .dignity

• They should never work hard to reach certain ambitious goals in their professional life  That means, they will be spared  from character assassination.

•  If they are economically constrained to take up a job , they should opt only for teaching Job  and that too in girls schools  or colleges .

• They should not think of any life in the out side world . That ,means they are born to be a good wife and mother ,doing only the wifely and motherly duties.

• They should never think or talk of women’s empowerment or economic independence  or freedom or gender equality . That  means they should be prepared to live with the ideology 18^th century women who were satisfied with their suffering in silence attitude. in spite of denial of basic rights . 

Do list.

The girls who are born with independent sprit, sense of gender justice , intelligence , wisdom and equipped with knowledge gained through  higher education and specialised professional ,skills are not willing to confine themselves to the traditional womanly duties . Such women do take up carriers  for achieving their life goals. Though they know about the difficulties of juggling  between home and carrier managements . They have to follow certain precautions.

They are –

·        Acquiring skills  in self defense methods, carrying a pepper spray or a long pin and  a cell phone with balance in account and with  help line numbers   in their hand bags.

·        Entrusting  young daughters in the care of any men however close they are in relationship and friendship should be avoided .

·         Equipping themselves with legal awareness so that they will be familiar with the provisions and  recourse to women protection laws.

·        Moving  away from  unsafe environment  abruptly even if it will look non  courteous .

·        Remaining  very cautious with  men who are totally strangers and avoid giving personal details.

·         Avoiding  the company of social drinkers even if it is part of   official life.

·        Following  all types of security measures while remaining  active in the social media.

·        Seeking  the help of women support groups when targeted  with sexual threats.

·        Taking family members into confidence if caught in sexual harassment situation

·         Giving police complaint immediately after sexual offence irrespective of the position of the offender  and keeping all the evidences in tact .

          

But we have to admit that  the growing crimes against  women have placed India with a 4th rank among countries in the matter of unsafe environment for women . It is sad commentary on our culture. India is now known as country with  no respect for the need for gender justice. Many number of women would come forward to complain about sex related crimes without fear or favour, only when, trials are conducted speedily and verdict announced within 6 months.