(Representative image)One was pained to read about the atrocity by a group of men in Idappally who abused a Tamil woman who was ostensibly summoned by them for household chores. What was surprising was that the event evoked no response from the social media. Perhaps our reactions would have been different if a Malayalee woman was treated in such a way somewhere outside the state. A state like Kerala is expected to be much more humane to workers from other states simply because a large chunk of its population is employed in other states and nations.
It is believed that in Kerala there are about 20 lakh labourers from other states. However, the average Malayalee or even the authorities are oblivious of their condition or the situations in which they live in our state.
As in the case with expatriate Malayalees, labourers from outside states are predominantly young people and when they live together, the social issues they create are numerous and varied. Recently, a Bengali woman was arrested for peddling drugs. According to the State Aids Control Authority, the number of sex workers are quite high in Perumbavoor, where the number of migrant labourers are quite high. Crime rates have also increased to serious proportions in Perumbavoor in recent times.
While we are happy to ignore the developments as issues concerning people from outside the state, social transactions cannot be ignored and whether we like it or not, we would have to interact with communities of people who have come here from other states. For example, the increase in number of sex workers would also increase their interaction with the local community. The case is the same with drugs because availability could encourage use. Extending the analogy, one may surmise that those who abused the Tamil lady today would not mind harming another woman, be it a college student or an IT professional, tomorrow.
The state has to take measures to ensure that employment rules, compensation and security are made uniform for all people. People from outside the state should have access to clean surroundings and providing such facilities must be incumbent on the employer. Where the number of migrant labourers are high, police stations should be equipped with officers who can converse in their language. Finally, a helpline meant for the benefit of such workers also should be available. It is also highly desirable that liaison offices representing the state of origin of the labourers should be opened for the benefit of such people.
Expat labourers are our guests and they should be treated as such. We need to treat them in the same way that we would wish to be treated in other states. We need to stock our libraries with books and periodicals in their language and offer them a chance to learn Malayalam. We also need to celebrate their festivals and culture. A government department to look into the affairs of such people would also be welcome.
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