Srinagar, May 18 (KNS): Senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Ex VC JK Cements Ltd, Er Nazir Ahmad Yatoo on Monday said the unorganised labour is bearing the full brunt of the economic paralysis due to deadly virus (COVID-19.

In a statement issued to KNS, senior PDP leader, Er Nazir Ahmad Yatoo said that, "Factories, construction work have been shut down, and business activities suspended to stop the spread of the virus. It is indeed a bitter medicine, but it tastes the worst at the bottom of the pyramid."

Since the onset of the COVID-19 outbreak at the beginning of March, both sources of income have dried up, the war on the COVID-19 virus is quickly transforming into a war against the poor class, Yatoo said.

Er Nazir Yatoo said that, not much has been spoken of the millions who have no resources to last out this period of joblessness.

"It is also ironic that the shutdown has triggered a stampede among millions of immigrant workers to return home, putting themselves at risk of infection while travelling like sardines," he said.

It is the poor class who are going to bear the brunt of the economic and social consequences of the coronavirus pandemic. The pandemic has laid bare the actual conditions of the poor class– which has even remained hidden from the mainstream media, he said.

PDP leader said that, "Without adequate credit or savings to withstand financial setbacks, and without adequate governmental support, these households will be left with no other option than putting their children in the workforce to aid survival."

The children of farmers and agricultural labourers in entire country are at even greater risk, he said.

How the central government views this huge segment of the poor class has also been nakedly exposed by the pandemic, the current government remains oblivious to the desperate pleas of lakhs of workers to go back to their villages and homes. Those who attempted to walk back home were beaten, pushed back at various places, Yatoo said.

With the lockdown suspending all forms of work for months now, poorest now face penury and deprivation.

With very little savings and a poor social security net, their families are having fewer meals, borrowing money and braving the threat of violence in order to go out and work.

Yatoo further said that, India is home to 10.1 million child labourers in the age group 5-14 years (Census 2011). If the state governments do not take immediate and accelerated efforts to address this issue, we are going to lose the battle of eliminating all forms of child labours, he said.

Besides the pleas of poor workers, there is also the possibility of downward adjustment to wages, social security and working hours. The effect will be more on informal sector workers, including self-employed, casual and gig workers, and migrant workers who are more vulnerable to adverse labour market outcomes, Er Nazir Yatoo said.(KNS)