Tracking the COVID-19 pandemic and its subsequent economic impacts, it is becoming clear this crisis hit daily wage workers harder than all others. Millions of people were furloughed or lost jobs, and others rapidly adjusted to working from home as offices closed. It’s important to be clear here about who’s impacted the most: the middle class families, as well as laborers, are disproportionately paid sub-Rs 300 wages, and youth are disproportionately bearing the brunt of job losses. While all sections have taken a hit, perhaps the worst affected are those in the low-income bracket. In Kashmir’s rate of jobless growth had emerged as a top concern among youths, who despite having professional degrees are rooming outside on roads. Kashmir which already suffered due to the political situation in 2019, the year 2020 has been back breaking. Many families are finding it increasingly hard to make the two ends meet. We assume as per common wisdom that in a lot of families at the brink of facing poverty.
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The ordinary worker during a pandemic struck catastrophe was forced to become more and more dependent on debt-entrapping, ultra-exploitative, asset-owning class of workers and informal money lenders, which has only made their living condition worse over time. Many businesses say they simply can’t pay more. That could be the case for some, but it’s almost certainly not the case for all. The labor income here in Kashmir has been on the decline from last few years, and the the question is how to deal with this army of teens, who are ready to use their body and mind to earn two times meals for their families. Despite the government’s efforts to ensure food-security during the months of the lockdown and thereafter, most BPL were unable to avail the benefits of receiving ration packages. A survey conducted by Generali showed that close to 80% of the working class in India experienced loss of income and over 90% of them are preparing for more hardships in the future. Aside from the more significant impact on their low incomes, Kashmiris with lower incomes are at a further disadvantage because of the lack of awareness, which means they aren’t able to use as many resources when it comes to saving and investing.
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