Editor,
The good ole thumping times are back! Thumping migrant labourers, that is! Sarcasm aside, let’s get down to brass tacks as regards local and non-local labourers as experienced by a local commoner like me. The work ethics of the ‘local’ labourers I encountered left me wanting to tear my hair out. They would come late but leave early; take umpteen breaks, so much so that in essence, they worked only about three hours a day, four or five if I was lucky (I timed them). It was also vitally imperative for them to take a few days off for some pressing social obligation or another every other week or so. They would leave early on Saturdays but would never appear on Mondays either. You have to tread on eggshells around them for, heaven forbid! should you happen to scold them for whatever reason, they will refuse to come to work the next day. They charge almost double that of their non-local counterparts for work quality that is average at best. In contrast, non-local workers do better quality work at a faster pace; at more reasonable rates and take criticism in their stride. Case in point, it took a ‘local’ carpenter two days to make me a rough 2 x 4 wooden box at Rs. 500 per sq. ft. whilst a non-local one took five days to frame out three 8 x 10 wardrobes at Rs. 300 per sq. ft. As a salaried individual with shallow pockets compounded by a rising cost of living, my priority is getting good work done as quickly as possible and at a price I can afford. I would love to support our local workers and all that jazz but not when I have to pay through my nose or lose my sanity, not to mention my temper, during the process.
Yours etc.,
J.R. Rani
Shillong 3
Migrant workers versus local workers
Editor,
The ongoing so-called “checking” of migrant workers across various parts of Shillong and outskirts by pressure groups has more or less brought to a standstill critical construction projects be it private or government funded. The action of such groups many times have led to their crossing swords with the law and points to the failure of the departments concerned for not doing their duty well. One more aspect is the insistence of labour licence given by the State Government authorities whereas there have been instances of the role of the District Councils as well in the issuance of such certificates. Everything lacks synergy and coordination and it seems that everyone is operating within their silos. We lack the required skilled labour force which is the reason for skilled migrant workers to come. The lack of interest to learn is also another aspect and the absence professionalism, discipline and work culture is also the reason why contractors and contracting firms hesitate to hire local labour. We need to first address the problem at the local community level before we claim to fight for the rights of local labour which is wanting and in short supply.
Yours etc…
Dominic S.Wankhar
Shillong:3
Robust data critical for decision – making
Editor,
The editorial “Data versus Assumption” (ST July 23, 2024) made interesting reading. It is said that data is based on analysis and evidence; it is an educated guess about what will happen in future while assumption is a belief that is not based on data, often made without much thought, and can lead to bad decision making. We need to have data on in-migration and out-migration in the state which is updated every quarterly to determine what is the real picture on migration instead of guesstimating given the fact that we have no updated census data as of today. The editorial has raised eleven pertinent questions that need to be addressed failing which it could prove counter-productive for a state that is trying to catch up in every sphere of socio-economic development, especially in the implementation of National Projects and Central Schemes where a huge amount of investment is made by the Government of India which are time bound. Missing it means Meghalaya is regressing and the Central Government does not wait for anyone and at times it may be compelled to abandon such projects when the progression is at a snail’s speed and such investment outlives its economic utility. As it is, money does not come for free because money is what money does.
The problem with the Labour Department in Meghalaya is that they are not laborious; perhaps they have their own predicament for that. However, the editorial is not incorrect to point out that, “It is incumbent on the Labour Department to come up with correct statistics to clear all assumptions which give a handle to opportunists to take the law into their hands!”
Yours etc;
VK Lyngdoh,
Via email
Ethical crisis in medical care
Editor,
In recent times, many families have experienced a sense of betrayal from certain private nursing homes and hospitals. What is disgusting is that some reputable hospitals keep coma patients on ventilators far longer than necessary with the sole intention of raising medical bills. This practice has left families not only emotionally shattered but also financially ruined. According to numerous media reports, some hospitals in metros even keep deceased patients on ventilators long after they have passed away.
One family member, who wished to remain anonymous, shared their traumatic experience: “My grandmother, suffering from acute respiratory issues along with high blood pressure, diabetes, and other old age-related frailties, was kept on a ventilator for 12 days. Later, we realized that she was unnecessarily kept on the ventilator for so many days when her survival chance was less than 1%, even if a miracle happened. We couldn’t question the doctors at the time. Prior to the ventilation, we spent all our family’s savings on her treatment. Ultimately, my father had to borrow money from several relatives just to release my grandmother’s dead body. We were practically plunged into heavy debt. Our sufferings—financial, mental, and emotional—are indescribable.” Many people in the town also share this plight and agony.
Sadly, the very professionals who should be alleviating the sufferings of patients should not be the cause of anguish and distress at all. I strongly feel, as we advance in medical technology, we must also advance in our ethical standards. Hospitals should prioritize human ethics, and, considering the “economic background” of patients’ families, they should offer “compassionate advice,” never rushing the patients to the ventilator if the recovery chances are very slim. We must not allow the over-commercialization of modern healthcare to deal a fatal blow to humanity.
Yours etc.,
Salil Gewali,
Shillong