For many migrants a sudden absence of work leaves little choice: they head home
belong? This is not a metaphysical question. For English-speaking Indians, “belonging” to a place means simply that you come from there, as in, “I live in Delhi but belong to Bengal.” Yet for millions of migrant labourers, not only in India but across Asia, covid-19 has given the question new meaning. A Malaysian worker in a Singapore electronics plant, a Filipina servant in a wealthy household in Bangkok or a Bihari cook in a Delhi restaurant all face a similar dilemma.
Chastened by wrenching television images of the exodus, state governments arranged buses for some of the migrants, and Mr Modi himself apologised for any inconvenience caused. But then the central government changed tack again. The mass flight, it realised, was undoing the very purpose of the lockdown, which was to stop the spread of the virus.
Sadly, some of India’s migrant workers who did reach their villages have not fared too well, either. One group that made it from Tamil Nadu in the far south all the way back to Bengal have hoisted hammocks, charpoys and mosquito nets into trees. They say they must live in suspension as there is no other way in their village to maintain social distance. Elsewhere, returning workers are held in suspicion as possible carriers of disease, sparking conflict.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Indian officials warn of lockdown extensions as COVID-19 cases in South Asia near 6,000The number of confirmed new coronavirus cases in South Asia neared 6,000 on Saturday, even as authorities in some cities tightened restrictions on movement and warned lockdowns could be extended in a bid to rein in the pandemic.
Read more »
AP Week in Pictures, AsiaMARCH 27-APRIL 2, 2020 This photo gallery highlights some of the most compelling images made or published by Associated Press photographers in Asia and Pacific. The gallery was curated...
Read more »
Asia stocks set to trade higher as oil prices see record surgeStocks in Asia were set to trade higher Friday following a record surge in oil prices that saw U.S. crude futures soaring more than 24%.
Read more »
Indonesia virus death toll rises to highest in Asia outside ChinaIndonesia's coronavirus death toll rose to 170 on Thursday as the world's fourth most populous nation passed South Korea as the country with the highest number of recorded fatalities in Asia after China.
Read more »
In Southeast Asia, Governments Exploit Coronavirus Fears To Tighten GripIn Thailand, new restrictions ban the sharing of 'information related to COVID-19 that is false and might instigate fear.' Combined with another law, the Thai government now has carte blanche to decide what is 'fake news' and silence whomever it sees fit.
Read more »