Maya memorials on hold,unpaid workers begin the long journey home

Most of the workers at sites like Kanshiram Memorial,Ramabai Ambedkar Maidan,Buddha Park and Kanshiram Sanskritik Sthal had come from Rajasthan and other towns of UP. After the SC’s order,they were given part of their dues and were told by the contractors to go home. While some have left,many others are waiting for the dues.

“None of the workers got the full wage and is only given a small amount to go home,” said Pannalal,father of two sons. He has a small farmland in his village in Dhaulpur to feed his eight-member family.

“Our dues come to around Rs 9,000. The contractor told us to return as there is no work here. It seems we will get the money only when the construction resumes. I won’t be able to take anything for my family now,” said the wrinkled man in his late fifties.

“We received a small amount to take a train back home,” said Pappu Kumar,a labourer from Agra,sitting under a canopy of yellow plastic on the pavement in front of the Kanshiram Memorial. “We have our bags packed. Since we can be chased away by the police any moment,we hide in the slums,” he added.

Other workers had similar tales. Sole earner of the family and father of four daughters and two sons,Bijendar Singh had 20 people from his village working under him in Ambedkar memorial.

“Nearly Rs 1.5 lakh are due but the contractor has refused to listen to us. We have no money to return home and my relatives who worked under me are asking me to pay. How do I do that?” he said. The last payment that most of the workers received was just before the Rakshabandhan on August 5. “My contractor has moved to Delhi and I see no hope of getting my dues back,” said Sunil. “We worked for 18 hours to earn overtime,” said Satendar from Farukhabad. “They are not even allowing us to enter the memorial to measure the floor paved for payment,” added Bijendar Singh.