Recently, a group of five tribal community members travelled in a desperate condition to Udaipur city. Devilal, Narayan, Lakshman, Dharmi, and Sushila—three men and two women workers—were facing serious economic difficulties in their families and urgently needed some income. As many workers in such situations do, they gathered at the labour hiring point (naka) at Govardhan Vilas Chowkhti in Udaipur, hoping to be hired by an employer or contractor for construction or related work.
Although tired and underfed, they initially felt fortunate when a contractor arrived quickly and said he had enough work for them for several days. However, after making a small advance payment, the contractor withheld the bulk of their wages. He first promised to pay soon, but then stopped responding to their phone calls. Their hopes were shattered, and they were at their wits’ end about how to recover their hard-earned and badly needed money.
At this stage, another worker told them about Jandaksha Trust (JDT), an organization that had earlier helped several workers in similar situations. The five workers, though deeply disheartened, approached the JDT office as a last resort. There, they were treated respectfully. Their case was registered, and efforts to contact the contractor were initiated. When he did not respond, a notice was issued. Eventually, when he replied, JDT made it clear that legal action would be taken if he failed to pay the workers. Under pressure, the contractor agreed to settle the dues, and JDT promptly handed over the recovered money to the workers—much to their relief and joy.
As Parashram Lohar, a senior member of the JDT team, says, the happiness on the workers’ faces is the real reward for all the effort, persistence, and firm pursuit required to secure justice.
This is just one example among many. JDT has helped recover nearly six million rupees withheld or effectively ‘stolen’ from workers by unscrupulous contractors or employers. In addition, JDT has actively supported workers in several ways in Udaipur city. Although special welfare laws exist for construction workers, and a welfare fund supported by cess collection has substantial resources, many workers—especially migrants—struggle to register and obtain the necessary identity documents. JDT has assisted numerous workers in securing these documents, enabling them to access welfare benefits.
JDT has also mobilized various worker collectives, which use their unity to facilitate registration, mutual help, access to government schemes, and opportunities for skill development and training. In the case of women workers, stronger linkages have also enabled support in addressing domestic violence and securing justice in family-related issues.
Jandaksha Trust was established in 2007 with the primary aim of assisting unorganized-sector workers in Udaipur. For several years, it focused primarily on neglected groups of workers in the expanding city, particularly women workers, construction labourers, and domestic workers. However, after repeatedly hearing stories of migrant hardship, JDT members decided that durable solutions also required work in the villages from which migrant workers originate. Today, the organization is active in several villages in the district, addressing issues related to distress migration and striving to strengthen sustainable rural livelihoods.
As Alka Vyas, the founder of JDT, explains, work with migrant labour has highlighted the urgent need to improve conditions in villages that compel workers to accept exploitative employment in cities. Hence, in areas like Mavli and other development blocks, collectives are being formed to understand the development initiatives needed and to work towards them. One early priority has been to promote natural farming, which can reduce costs and enhance sustainability.
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The writer is Honorary Convener, Campaign to Save the Earth Now. His recent books include Protecting Earth for Children, Planet in Peril, A Day in 2071, and India’s Quest for Sustainable Farming and Healthy Food
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