Workers have always paved the way for great civilizations to thrive with their hard work yet have been the group to enjoy the most marginal forms of amenities. The pandemic was a jolt for the informal sector workers who had moved out of their homes to earn a respectable earning for families. Moreover, limited infrastructure and income opportunities rendered them jobless when they were forced to return to their villages amidst lockdowns.

In response to this, Caritas India’s COVID Response program supported by Misereor focused on strengthening community assets in these rural parts of the country through Fund Assistance for Work to eliminate the negative coping mechanism and future risk mitigation from these health emergencies. The program focuses on providing work opportunities for those who have been most affected including migrant workers and daily wage laborers. The initiative has been successful in providing much-needed support to these workers.

Over the last 7 months, these fund for work activities has engaged more than 1300 workers across 200 villages from 17 districts of states of Assam, Bihar, Andamans, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, Rajasthan and Karnataka. With their hardwork and continuous efforts we have been able to strengthen WASH infrastructure such as the repair of over 150 handpumps, 5 community and school level toilets, repair of more than 20 village roads, deepening and repair of check dams and anicut, construction of community bridges. Alongside skilled workers such as teachers, tailors, beautician, and drivers have shared their knowledge and skill sets to empower communities to become self-reliant.

To highlight their importance and acknowledge their contribution to the society, Caritas India celebrated International Workers Day across 11 program villages in Andamans, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Karnataka wherein more than 600 workers participated in this event cum awareness program. By working together on these activities, workers from different backgrounds and nationalities are able to come together and build relationships based on their shared experiences.

The primary objective was to share the achievements of the program with the communities, increase their awareness on their rights and working conditions through information sharing on government schemes. Cultural program, interactive games and community meal services were also arranged for the participants as symbol of dignity and equality. This initiative is just one example of how organizations are working to support workers during this difficult time. It is important that we continue to prioritize the needs of essential workers and provide them with the support they need to thrive.

“Families here are dependent on a daily wage. Our daily lives revolve around going to work and coming back home without much to do for ourselves. We have worked here in Jeerakot on check dam repair and deepening. Not only did we get our wages but also respect from the program. The dignity of labor like us does not depend on what you do, but how you do it. This day especially brought joy and smiles on our faces after long as we truly felt a part of the society,” shared Mani, Kamala, Anita and Savitri from Banswara, Rajasthan.

Let us also support initiatives like providing dignified livelihoods for those in need and helping to build bonds. Together, we can create a more just and equitable society for all workers.