The daily-wage labourers spent the occasion of Eidul Fitr away from their homes sitting idly on Prince Road, at Bacha Khan Chowk and various other intersections of the provincial capital of Balochitan as they could not afford fare, money and gifts to take back to their families.
Talking to The Express Tribune, a daily wage worker maintained that he didn’t return home because he was unable to find work and earn livelihood during the holy month of Ramazan.
“The lockdown imposed in Quetta amidst the rising cases of coronavirus also restricted public transport, including coaches. And this has restricted us to spend Eidul Fitr without my children,” he said, adding that he had spent the days at a rented room shared by other workers on Bacha Khan Chowk.
“If we had any work, we would have gone to our homes,” said another worker, adding that he chose the chowk to spend the Eid days so that passers-by could leave for him something to eat and drink.
The labourers prayed for speedy elimination of the coronavirus so that they could have their jobs and livelihood back.
They expressed hope that they will be able to celebrate next Eid with their children in their home towns.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 16th, 2021.
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