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Last few years there has been a lot of news about the lack of jobs and the need for more job creation. While a layman reading these would think there are no jobs and insufficient growth. But the reality is far from it. There are plenty of jobs and growth, to some extent is lost because there are less takers for these. Feeling paradoxical, let me elaborate.
I am from Andhra Pradesh. Here there is scarcity of skilled labor. Oh.. what’s this guy saying. We are in Bharat not in some developed nation. Why would there be a shortage of skilled labor? But wait!!! What did you think of skilled labor? What sectors did you think of? Nurses, doctors, engineers? That is where the issue is.
We have a lot of the above mentioned graduates without jobs. Hey, man!! Get to the point!!! There is a shortage of plumbers, carpenters, masons, smiths, construction labor, surveyors, electricians, agri produce processing labor etc.. There are many of us who consider these to be odd jobs and not ‘proper/real’ jobs. But, guess what? A young adult working in the above mentioned ‘odd jobs’ earns a minimum of 500 rupees per day. Experienced ones would earn up to 2000 per day.
Even a weight lighter at yards and markets earn 500-1000 rupees per day. And at peak season up to 2000 per day. A family in Chennai makes more than 2000 by selling samosa on the road side in the evening alone. Also know a man who constructed three stairs home by selling meals near an IT company in Bengaluru. Sounds well paying right? But have you ever thought of venturing into these.
How many Bharatvasi can boast of earning more than 30,000 per month. While an experienced electrical or plumber earns about 50,000 per month, what does a typical clerk job earn for one? For that matter, what does a most coveted bank job earn for one? This sounds absurd right? Why do people strive for clerk jobs when there are more economical ones available?
Answer lies in caste. The thinking of one caste above other and consequently one type of labor above another. While caste in itself is to distinguish, the distinction became discrimination due to thousands of years of lack of education, mobility. The ones who controlled the economy(vysya), power(kshatriya) and land(farmer), the one who did rituals(brahmins) became ‘upper castes’ and the rest ‘lower caste’. These lines deepened over time due to supply demand differences. And invasions over thousands of years created poverty in society and the brunt of it was faced by the ‘lower caste’ whose labor was meaning less during famine and poverty.
Ooph.. while this is a simplification of thousands of years of suffering, this presents us a reason to understand why manual labor has been looked down upon. This presents a case of lack of dignity of labor. Though a highly economical work is available people, prefer clerk jobs which ruin the spine posture and cause miserable old age. So, what’s the fix??
Improve dignity of labor first. Take Japan for example. Class rooms and gyms are cleaned by students taking turns. Teach students about plumbing, electronics and manual labor in school and colleges. I have no hope for the adults because they are committed to their beliefs. Belief, by very definition, is irrational and can not be changed in a short time without conflict. Else, why would invaders destroy temples, why would mob destroy a mosque.
These pieces are being published as they have been received – they have not been edited/fact-checked by ThePrint.
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