Where Is His Money Going?

Asem Mustafa Awan

Islamabad: Weak and underfed, a worker questions the higher-ups: where is his money going? In Pakistan, masses are often illiterate and unaware that the system from top to bottom is smeared with corruption.

This man, paid a meager 20,000 rupees a month, loses wages for even a single skipped day. Clad in a uniform from an internationally reputed company, he is unaware that the Government of Pakistan has mandated a minimum wage of 32,000 rupees.

He is being cheated out of 12,000 rupees monthly, a law passed by the previous government.

The grand illusion of becoming an “Asian Tiger” has been reduced to a pitiful “Asian kitten,” a far cry from the region’s aspirations.

If one were to trace where this missing money goes, they would uncover millions stashed away in accounts of powerful individuals. These unscrupulous figures employ cruel methods to rob hardworking laborers of their rightful wages, making them toil for hours, often succumbing to disease and hunger.

A simple litmus test for the authorities would be a health check of these workers. Many suffer from different stages of tuberculosis, and their families are similarly underfed and malnourished. These workers, responsible for keeping Islamabad clean and green, nurture the capital with their sweat and blood, only to be ignored by those in power.

The tragedy of workers dying on the job is frequent. Often, official announcements of compensation are made, but the bureaucratic red tape makes it nearly impossible for families to receive the promised grants.

A recent case of four workers dying from asphyxiation in a well is a stark reminder of this neglect. Their families, like many others, have not received any financial assistance despite government promises.

Policy makers must wake up to the suffering of these laborers. The systematic exploitation and corruption need to be eradicated. It is not enough to issue statements and take notice. Concrete actions must be taken to ensure that workers are paid their due wages and provided with safe working conditions.

Health checks and compensation for families of deceased workers should be streamlined and made accessible.

It’s time for Pakistan to honor the labor that keeps its heart beating, to lift the oppressed, and to dismantle the web of corruption that ensnares its most vulnerable citizens.

The writer is a journalist based in Islamabad and writes on a wide range of issues.

Photo Credit: Anonymous Source