A beedi worker’s tale of woes

KARIMNAGAR: Chiluka Sujatha (30) is an unorganised sector beedi worker. She is a native of Kothirampur in Karimnagar town. After beedi workers went on strike from November 1, she has been goin
Beedi worker Sujatha with daughter Sravanthi
Beedi worker Sujatha with daughter Sravanthi
Updated on
1 min read

KARIMNAGAR: Chiluka Sujatha (30) is an unorganised sector beedi worker. She is a native of Kothirampur in Karimnagar town. After beedi workers went on strike from November 1, she has been going through untold hardships.

“My house owners, who know I have no work for 22 days, are pestering me to pay the monthly rent. I borrowed some money from a private money lender and paid them. I have no rice to cook,” she said adding, “For the past 15 days, we are eating one meal, sleeping in the night with empty stomachs,” she told Express tearfully.

Initially, Sujatha was not ready to speak about her bitter experience. She said, “I tried to do daily wage work as a coolie. But regular coolies did not allow me. I went to the coolies ‘adda’ and waited two to three hours, hoping to get some work. But I could not get any.” Her husband had deserted her a couple of years ago.

Her daughter Sravanthi is a Class VIII student in a government school. She has borrowed about Rs 2000 between November 1 to 20, hoping she would clear the debt after receiving her due amount from the beedi company.

As the strike continues, the beedi factory is closed and her money locked up with the management.

She said she had applied for a house under the Indiramma Housing scheme but was not given any. She said a lot of people were given houses under the scheme, though they had their own houses.

Related Stories

No stories found.

X
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com