Thiruvananthapuram: A group of guest workers from Chattisgarh, who are coconut-tree climbers, raised and contributed Rs 52000 towards Kerala Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF), now in their turn to give back for the care and priority bestowed on them by Keralites.
Even though they have lost their work and pay for 21 days due to the COVID-19 lockdown, this group of guest labourers from Chattisgarh did not think twice to spare a part of their income for Kerala.
The good-hearted guest labourers from Chattisgarh, associated with Computech Tree climbing company in Kariyath, near Pothancode donated the money to Kerala CMDRF as a token of their gratitude and to support Kerala’s efforts in combatting COVID.
When the pandemic started taking a disastrous form all over India and the lockdown was declared, Kerala had made all arrangements to ensure that the ‘guest labourers’ are taken care of very well. The migrant workers - the labourers who have come from other states of India to work in Kerala - are being referred to as ‘Guest labourers’ in Kerala, in a very dignified manner, even in official communications.
The guest labourers are being provided with food, safe places to stay where a minimum physical distance could be maintained and medicines. They were also made aware of the situation; the importance of maintaining physical distance and the correct hand wash techniques, in their own languages, as and when possible. Specific help desks were set up for the guest labourers, where they could call up and air their problems, in Hindi or in their own languages, to get them solved on priority. The government stood by the guest labourers and cared for them.
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The 43 member group had left their homes for Kerala looking for work, about two months ago. Pradeep Kumar, one among them, said, “We came to know that even little children are contributing whatever they could towards the Distress Relief Funds. That is how we decided to raise some money and support in the fight against the COVID pandemic which has been badly affecting our nation. We were overwhelmed at the love and care that we experienced from Kerala. We are just doing what we can as it is our responsibility.”
"Even during the lockdown period, we never had any trouble for food and drinking water. The owner of our company has made all arrangements for our essentials," Pradeep added.
Kerala has been fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in a very effective manner, while also caring for those who may suffer and struggle during the total shutdown.
