During the lockdown, the entire construction works willcontinue as usual since in absence of it the daily wage earners mayface hunger and financial crisis.
This is the order for the Governmentof Odisha in view of the lockdown guidelines.However, the workers coming from the surrounding villages to Sambalpurtown for construction works are facing problems to enter the city. Many are returning back to their homes due to restrictions by policeat the entry points of the city. They have been put in dire straits asthey have failed to earn their daily bread.
“The police and administration need to be more humane for such peoplewho come to the city to earn livelihood. They should not be restrictedto come to their workplaces,” suggested Bhuban Behera, a senioradvocate of the District Bar Association, who personally knows manysuch workers as his home is near a village of the city.
Behera further said that when industrial workers are allowed to go totheir duty before 8 am and come back after 6 pm without any hurdle,why such relaxation be not extended to the construction workers of thesuburbs working in unorganised sectors.
“An old bicycle, a tiffin box on its carrier, dirty and shabby dressesare the best identity for such workers who deserve cooperation but notsympathy from every corner. But hundreds of these workers arereturning home due to the strict checking.
Being illiterate andsimple, these people are unable to narrate their plights and convincethe police,” said Behera.
Behera further suggested that the Labour Department in the districtcome to the entry spots of city and help these people byidentifying them so that their livelihood is protected.