Life and labour in these lands

Published October 19, 2011
Migrant workers watch a movie on a mobile phone in their one room dwelling in a residential area in Mumbai October 3, 2011. Ten migrant workers who pay a monthly rent of 6,000 rupees ($123) live in a 4.5 x 3 metres (15 x 10 ft.) room.
Migrant workers watch a movie on a mobile phone in their one room dwelling in a residential area in Mumbai October 3, 2011. Ten migrant workers who pay a monthly rent of 6,000 rupees ($123) live in a 4.5 x 3 metres (15 x 10 ft.) room.
Migrant workers rest inside their one room dwelling in a residential area in Mumbai, October 3, 2011. All the occupants who come from the same district of the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh are in Mumbai for better job opportunities and work as taxi drivers and manual labourers.
Migrant workers rest inside their one room dwelling in a residential area in Mumbai, October 3, 2011. All the occupants who come from the same district of the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh are in Mumbai for better job opportunities and work as taxi drivers and manual labourers.
A comb tied with a rope is pictured inside a one room dwelling in a residential area in Mumbai October 5, 2011. According to a 2011 census conducted by the government of India, the population of Mumbai is more than 12 million and there is estimated to be about 20,482 persons per square kilometre.
A comb tied with a rope is pictured inside a one room dwelling in a residential area in Mumbai October 5, 2011. According to a 2011 census conducted by the government of India, the population of Mumbai is more than 12 million and there is estimated to be about 20,482 persons per square kilometre.
A municipality worker looks away from the welding glare as another repairs an underground water pipeline in Mumbai October 16, 2011. The water distribution system in Mumbai is over 100-years-old. Water is brought in from the six lakes after treatment, and stored in 23 service reservoirs.
A municipality worker looks away from the welding glare as another repairs an underground water pipeline in Mumbai October 16, 2011. The water distribution system in Mumbai is over 100-years-old. Water is brought in from the six lakes after treatment, and stored in 23 service reservoirs.
Labourers work at a coal dump site outside Kabul October 19, 2011. Each labourer earns $10 on an average working day. Most of them come from the northern provinces, leaving their families behind in search of fortune in the capital.
Labourers work at a coal dump site outside Kabul October 19, 2011. Each labourer earns $10 on an average working day. Most of them come from the northern provinces, leaving their families behind in search of fortune in the capital.
Labourers have breakfast at their quarters where they cook, eat, and sleep. The quarters are at a coal dump site outside Kabul October 18, 2011. Each labourer earns $10 on an average working day.
Labourers have breakfast at their quarters where they cook, eat, and sleep. The quarters are at a coal dump site outside Kabul October 18, 2011. Each labourer earns $10 on an average working day.
A labourer carries a sack of coal to be loaded onto a truck at a coal dump site outside Kabul October 19, 2011.
A labourer carries a sack of coal to be loaded onto a truck at a coal dump site outside Kabul October 19, 2011.
A labourer plays an instrument at their quarters where they cook, eat and sleep at a coal dump site outside Kabul October 18, 2011.
A labourer plays an instrument at their quarters where they cook, eat and sleep at a coal dump site outside Kabul October 18, 2011.
A labourer, working at a coal dump site, warms himself outside Kabul October 18, 2011.
A labourer, working at a coal dump site, warms himself outside Kabul October 18, 2011.
Labourers sleep at their quarters at a coal dump site outside Kabul October 18, 2011.
Labourers sleep at their quarters at a coal dump site outside Kabul October 18, 2011.
Workers pack sea salt at a factory to be sold in markets in Karachi October 15, 2011.
Workers pack sea salt at a factory to be sold in markets in Karachi October 15, 2011.
A man makes cane blinds at a shop in Lahore October 17, 2011.
A man makes cane blinds at a shop in Lahore October 17, 2011.
A man stands on top of a pile of used jackets for sale along a road in Quetta October 17, 2011.
A man stands on top of a pile of used jackets for sale along a road in Quetta October 17, 2011.
A man is silhouetted against the sun as he paints an electricity pole in Karachi October 14, 2011.
A man is silhouetted against the sun as he paints an electricity pole in Karachi October 14, 2011.

Scenes from the lives of labourers and workers in India, Pakistan, and Afghanistan. - Reuters Photos

Opinion

Editorial

Looking ahead
Updated 01 Jan, 2025

Looking ahead

The dawn of 2025 brings with it hope of a more constructive path to much-needed stability.
On the front lines
Updated 01 Jan, 2025

On the front lines

THE human cost of terrorism in 2024 was staggering. The ISPR reports 383 officers and soldiers embraced martyrdom...
Avoiding reform
01 Jan, 2025

Avoiding reform

PAKISTAN’S economic growth significantly slowed down to a modest 0.92pc during the first quarter of the present...
Charter of economy
Updated 31 Dec, 2024

Charter of economy

Before a consensus on economy is sought, the govt must resolve tensions with the opposition and reduce political temperatures.
Madressah compromise
31 Dec, 2024

Madressah compromise

A CLASH between the ruling coalition and the clerical old guard over the Societies Registration (Amendment) Act,...
Safety at work
31 Dec, 2024

Safety at work

PAKISTAN’S first comprehensive occupational safety and health (OSH) profile exposes the inadequacies of worker...