Bengaluru: The demonetisation move of the central government has affected thousands of daily wage workers in Bengaluru. Due to shortage of currency the workers neither have work nor they are paid.
The worst-affected by note ban are the electricians, plumbers, painters, construction workers, helpers and those people who do not have a bank account or government ID proof to exchange notes.
One of the private construction contractor standing in a long queue, told Express, “I pay salary to my workers every Saturday and it comes to around Rs 50,000. The bank is giving only 10,000. If I delay in giving salary they won’t come to work from next week. I am struggling to get money.”
Elumalai, a daily wage worker, said, “I can survive with Rs 400 what I have in Bagalkote for four days but can’t survive in this big city. Also, there is uncertainty due to the delay from employers in paying my salary,” he said.
Yallappa M Chalawadi works as a helper, has five daughters, aged between 14 and 6, one of whom is admitted in Bowring Hospital and requires blood transfusion frequently. “I get Rs 200 every day in Vijayapura. Here I am required to pay Rs 300 for every unit of platelets. The hospital asks for change. I don’t know how to get change.”
Srinivasa who works as a mason, said, “Nobody is accepting Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 notes. So I traded it for Rs 800. At least I have some money now,” he said.
