At two public places the Siolim-Marna panchayat (Goa) has displayed notice boards depicting the wages for labourers. This is perhaps to streamline the charges towards construction, shifting and other manual works carried out by migrant workers. The rates per day are Rs 1,000 for skilled masons, Rs 800 and Rs 600 for unskilled men and women labourers, respectively (TGE Aug 31). The question of whether the gram sabha’s resolution to fix the rates is legal is the prerogative of the labour department. There is a glaring disparity in payment for women, vis-à-vis men, although they do the same work (carrying laterite stones, bricks, cement, etc.) and under the same weather and working conditions. On the contrary, women are at a disadvantage if they need to feed/nurse their babies, keep small kids busy, or need to relieve themselves. Under these circumstances they need to be paid on par with the men. On one hand the governments speak about reservation for women, equal opportunities, and empowerment while the ground truth is at variance. Empathy and sympathy are important rather than just shouting fake, empty, and insincere words to garner women’s support during elections.
SRIDHAR D IYER, Caranzalem
