May Day Photo Feature: No Lightening of Labour's Burden at the End of the Tunnel
John Stuart Mill once said of the world of work, "It is questionable if all the mechanical inventions yet made have lightened the day's toil of any human being."
Today, automation in manufacturing is raising renewed fears around the world of joblessness while in India employment growth has fallen to a 7-year low. Of course, having a job – for millions upon millions of men, women and children across India – is not without its challenges and fears either. Of low pay, poor working, conditions, little or no social security or medical coverage and the sheer burden of toil.
On May Day, the international day of the worker, Shome Basu presents a photographic portrait of the Indian working class.
Childhood in peril. Credit: Shome Basu
Heat, dust and sweat takes its toll. Credit: Shome Basu
Stomachs to fill. Credit: Shome Basu
For a pot of water. Credit: Shome Basu
Bravado in the face of little else. Credit: Shome Basu
Wheeling away from the shadows of another day. Credit: Shome Basu
A summer sprinkle. Credit: Shome Basu
A battle for survival. Credit: Shome Basu
Will the winds bring change? Credit: Shome Basu
'Brokeback' Mandi. Credit: Shome Basu
Saddled for burden. Credit: Shome Basu
Looking for 'shining India'. Credit: Shome Basu
The cauldron burns on... Credit: Shome Basu
Smoggy destinations. Credit: Shome Basu
Shadows of the past; hopes of the future. Credit: Shome Basu
Stony paths, weary feet. Credit: Shome Basu
Hope smiles on. Credit: Shome Basu
Man, Iron and Steel. Credit: Shome Basu
Make-do helmets, make-do lives. Credit: Shome Basu
It's all in the eyes. Credit: Shome Basu
The wait. Credit: Shome Basu
Bricks of the future. Credit: Shome Basu
We build.Whose nation? Credit: Shome Basu
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