Over a million daily wage earners in city jobless owing to lockdown

Daily wage labourers are feared to be the worst affected from impacts of the fortnight lockdown to arrest Covid-19 spread, as traders on Monday blasted the Sindh government for not providing rations at the doorsteps of poor workmen.
Over a million daily wage earners, who depended on odd jobs at different markets, industries and involved in individual services, have been left jobless with the closures of entire city. "The Sindh government's pledge to provide rations to the poor needs seriousness and an immediate action," Atiq Mir, Chairman All Karachi Tajir Ittehad said.
He said that the poor labourers, whose earnings are at halt for a 15-day period with a lockdown, which traders also support, will suffer the most. Trade losses are feared to range up Rs 50 billion from markets closures in the next two weeks. "If the government is willing to succeed the lockdown it should help stop the poor from coming out through the rations package," he said.
He criticised that the provincial government has so far failed to fulfil the ration supplies responsibility as the poor are out on roads and streets to find some food for their families. "People come out from home for rations," he said that there should be proper facilities in different areas. "Wherever lockdown measures needed should be carried out since they are imperative for the nation," he added. The government should also step up efforts to increase the morale of public on Covid-19 and let them understand that it is not as deadly as being feared. He showed sorry for the life losses worldwide, saying that the Covid-19 has also damaged the world economy with a halt to trade and businesses.
Atiq Mir also urged the affluent individuals to help the poor with charity in this hour of crisis. Chairman Sindh Tajir Ittehad, Jamil Paracha said that the small traders and daily wagers have started feeling the impacts of the lockdown. The government, he said, will have to come out with a new plan to compensate for the traders and labourers financial problems. "Traders are with the Sindh government," to succeed the lockdown, he added.