Of blood and sweat: The shoulders that bear the economy’s burden

Labourers in Karachi express lack of knowledge about rights, May Day

KARACHI: Indifferent to the scorching heat they work in and unaware of the rights they are born with, the labourers of Pakistan’s economic hub feel that with each passing day, their condition worsens.

Labour Day, also known as May Day, is observed as a holiday in honour of labourers and their rights across the world. PHOTO: FAWAD HASAN

“There is no day off for a poor labourer,” says a worker making steel tools, his smile depicting the sadness he is unable to hide.

Labour Day, also known as May Day, is observed as a holiday in honour of labourers and their rights across the world.

Two labourers indulge in conversation. Labour Day is observed across the world on May 1. PHOTO: FAWAD HASAN

“Every day is Labour Day for us as we feel the miseries of life throughout the year every single day,” says another labourer who runs a puncture shop under the open sky.



Forced to cope with the ever increasing inflation and afraid of dying in abject poverty, a myriad of these unsung heroes whose shoulders carry the burden of the metropolis’ economy cannot take a day off on Labour Day. “Who would pay us for sitting at home with our family or attending a political conference then?” they ask woefully.

Forced to cope with the ever increasing inflation and afraid of dying in abject poverty, a myriad of these unsung heroes whose shoulders carry the burden of the metropolis’ economy cannot take a day off on Labour Day. PHOTO: FAWAD HASAN

Then there are those who toil in factories, risking their lives in extremely unsafe work environments, and hardly manage to eke out a living. But they wouldn’t bargain for this day. “We are offered overtime,” said one such factory worker. “We decline. We can’t waste this day for a few rupees. We might go starving one night but Labour Day is for us to decide how to fight the problems we face at work through political showdown.”