May Day Photo Feature: No Lightening of Labour's Burden at the End of the Tunnel
Shome Basu
Real journalism holds power accountable
Since 2015, The Wire has done just that.
But we can continue only with your support.
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
The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.