Migrant workers in the temple city are a disheartened lot as incessant rains have hit their livelihood hard. The local Nalugukalla Mandapam and Vaikuntapuram Arch, famously known as 'addas' for such workers wears a deserted look these days, barring a few.
Draped with plastic bags as a protective cover against the downpour, those few 'upbeat' workers hope to find someone who would offer them work, despite the inclement weather. Most of them depend on their daily wages for various aspects of their livelihood, including food, accommodation and savings for their families.
Continual rains has halted majority of construction works in the city and elsewhere.
This has in turn emerged as a bane for construction workers. “Our wages, depending on the work assigned, varies from Rs.300-400 per day. Sometimes the employers provide food, by which we can save a little bit more for our families. Bad weather for the past few weeks has dissuaded builders from employing us in their works,” said Seenu, a migrant worker hailing from Belur of Karnataka.
Lack of work has forced many of them to seek shelter in shopping complexes with almost no protection against the weather.
Others like Shankar Reddy and Siva, hailing from Madanapalle town of Chittoor district, have a similar story to relate.
“Even though we wanted to work in the rain, none of them have turned up, forcing us to seek shelter in business complexes and other areas,” they added.
The duo, along with few others, have been in Tirupati for the past four weeks and have decided to visit their families only when they have earned some money.
Many of them have formed close groups to share food and minimise costs, besides praying for the sun to come up.
Bad weather has dissuaded builders from employing us. We are now taking shelter in business complexes
- Seenu, migrant worker from Karnataka
