Delhi: Why Life Isn't At All Sweet and Nutty for Women Workers in Karawal Nagar's Almond Factory?

New Delhi- As winter bids adieu and the warmth of summer approaches, the tradition of consuming almonds continues, albeit in a different form. While winter sees us relishing raw almonds to keep the body warm and nourished, the summer brings forth the practice of consuming soaked almonds for their myriad health benefits. These shiny almonds, sourced from gardens, undergo meticulous processing before reaching our tables. Dedicated workers toil diligently, passing the almonds through rollers and sifters to remove the outer and inner covers, as well as any debris like pebbles or wood pieces. The almonds are then sorted based on size and meticulously packed for sale in the market.

Behind the glossy appearance of these almonds lies the hard work and dedication of these workers. However, amidst this laborious process, a pertinent question arises - will these workers be able to afford such nourishing almonds for their own children?

This question echoes the sentiments of more than 5000 workers, predominantly women, employed in Karawal. From March 1, these workers have united in protest, demanding an increase in their wages.

In an exclusive conversation with The Mooknayak, Rajjo one of the workers in the ongoing protest, shared her poignant story and shed light on the struggles faced by women workers like herself.

Rajjo, who has been associated with the factory for 15 years, recounted the challenges her family has endured due to insufficient wages and mounting expenses. With four children to support, Rajjo lamented the financial strain that prevents her from providing her children with a quality education.

"Sorting and cleaning almonds is not such an easy task. There is so much dust that it is very difficult to even breathe. My elder daughter had worked here for a month or two. She contracted TB," Rajjo disclosed, highlighting the health hazards associated with their labor-intensive tasks.

Tragically, Rajjo's eldest daughter is battling a serious kidney ailment, forcing Rajjo to temporarily halt her work to care for her ailing child.

"We have been doing this work for 15 years. We are from Bihar. The laborers here are from Bihar. The house rent is so much that we are not able to sustain ourselves," Rajjo lamented, highlighting the financial challenges faced by workers from marginalized communities.

Reflecting on the past protests and promises made by factory owners, Rajjo expressed disappointment at the unfulfilled assurances of wage increases. "Despite the passage of over a decade, the wage for cleaning and grading per kilogram of almonds has remained stagnant at Rs 2 since 2012, merely doubling from the previous rate of Re 1," disclosed Rajjo. "In 2024, workers continue to receive the same compensation for their labor-intensive tasks, with no adjustment for inflation. Furthermore, we are devoid of any medical insurance coverage," she lamented.

Rajjo recounted the harrowing events of March 3 when they participated in a protest at Jantar Mantar. "All the workers were there, but instead of support, the warehouse owner gave money to people who forcefully transported us away," she revealed. " We were abandoned near Jahanpur police station on the Haryana side," she continued, illustrating the challenges faced by the protesting workers.

Furthermore, Rajjo disclosed instances of violent attacks targeting the protesters. "A few days ago, some of our people were brutally assaulted, resulting in severe injuries, including a broken head and injuries to several women," she lamented.

Describing another terrifying incident, she recounted, "Just last night, intruders entered our homes wielding sticks and rods, instilling fear and threatening our safety. Despite these intimidations, we refuse to be silenced. We will continue our protest until justice is served and our rightful wages are granted."

The Mooknayak also spoke with Lalita Devi, a woman with two children, one son, and one daughter, whose husband works as a truck driver. Lalita, who has been employed at the factory for two decades, shared her struggles, stating, "I have to work due to financial problems at home. Otherwise, who wants to go out and work? Poverty forces us to seek employment. With such inflation, affording a house seems like an unattainable dream."

Expressing concern over the neglect of worker health, Lalita highlighted the grueling work hours and hazardous conditions at the factory. "We leave home at 6 in the morning and return by 9 or 10 at night. Despite the presence of dust, mud, and sawdust at the workplace, there's no provision for our safety. We lack masks, gloves, or any protective gear," she lamented, emphasizing the risk of contracting diseases due to these conditions.

Sadly, Lalita revealed that their demands for a modest raise in wages, commensurate with the yearly increase in living costs from 2012 to 2024, have been met with resistance. "We are simply asking for a slight increment in our salaries every year, mirroring the rise in living expenses. Despite the immense profits earned by the factories, they refuse to raise our wages," she expressed with disappointment.

Furthermore, Lalita disclosed the intimidation tactics employed by factory owners, such as sending goons to instill fear among workers. "Despite the prosperity of the factories, they offer a meager monthly salary of only 5 to 6 thousand rupees," she added, highlighting the disparity between worker remuneration and the profits accrued by the factory owners.

Lalita highlighted the deplorable conditions endured by workers at the factory, lamenting, "There is no adequate toilet facility anywhere in the factory. We are forced to use one dirty toilet shared by both men and women, as we cannot go without using the toilet for 13 to 14 hours." She further pointed out the absence of clean drinking water, stating, "Even if there is drinking water available, it is not suitable for consumption." Lalita expressed frustration over the delayed payment of salaries, questioning, "How are we poor people supposed to manage our lives?"

Adding to the grievances, Lalita revealed the lack of accountability from factory owners in the event of accidents. "Even if a laborer sustains injuries while working, the owners refuse to take responsibility or provide compensation," she stated. "We laborers are enduring a life of misery," she concluded with a heavy heart.

In an attempt to address these concerns, The Mooknayak endeavored to contact factory owners via telephone. However, the efforts to speak to them were unsuccessful.

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