Lockdown Impact on Employment

PC THOMAS :  Having no significant gains from the 40-days shutdown in India's fight to slow the spread of COVID-19, it has become necessary for the government to extent the lockdown by two more weeks from May 4. Stay safe and well at home!

The nationwide lockdown to fight Covid-19 pandemic is possibly going to bring about immense occupation misfortunes, pay cuts and stop on recruiting for job over the next few quarters, subsequently giving blues to India's troubled work story.

To share my story: I have been working as a Content Writer, producing contents for some companies.  As a result of the lockdowns, with no improvement in the business, the companies faced a number of challenges to sustain their business and as a result, hurrah!, I lost my job in the very first phase of lockdown.

Covid-19 crisis has adversely affected not only in my case and in similar ones, but also all the employment sectors across the country. The virus and the subsequent economic shocks have impacted the world of work across verticals. There is terrible news about the continuing spread of the virus and the delay in discovering effective vaccine to contain the Covid-19 virus has led most employees to vex about the job loss or salary cut.

With hardly any career openings in the market foreseen at least for the next few months and what happens after the lockdown is lifted, God alone knows! At least for now, there is no clarity on how long it would take for the companies to pick up.

It is commonly seen, as retail sales have dropped completely on account of the lockdown, automotive dealers encounter several challenges to revive their business. Hotel, travel & hospitality industry and other businesses of Gems & Jewellary, Handicrafts, Textile and garments, have been hit hard.

Since the outbreak of COVID-19, it is further witnessed that many companies have been cancelling interviews as there is lockdown in many parts of the country. However, some technology-oriented companies are hiring and conducting interviews by using alternative channels such as, Zoom, Skype etc., but there is no appointment taking place.

According to the latest assessment by the International Labour Organization or ILO, the economic and labour crisis created by the COVID-19 pandemic could increase global joblessness by near 25-million. And if the impact continues for a few more months, however, there could be a tragedy of continuous job losses across different sectors in India. What a difficult time we are thrown into! 

International Labour Day: Nation Salute You Labourers

The day of May first, known as May Day, is celebrated as ‘International Labour Day’ in many countries to recognize the efforts of millions of labours and helpers in the world a better place to live in. It is also called ‘Workers' Day’ or ‘The International Workers day'.  It is a unique occasion when the people of the world commemorate the true dignity of the working class. On this day workers gather and showcase their strength that signifies how competently they can struggle to bring in positive developments for the working of the society. Therefore, on this day we thank all the labourers around the world for their strength and efforts.

Unfortunately, this year 2020, due to COVID-19 pandemic, in a special way we are reminded to think about the plight of labourers. All countries in the world are in midst of social and economic shutdown, and face a difficult time for those who survive on daily labour. Many of these labouers’ lives have been abruptly uprooted by the lockdown, placing them in very precarious situations. Thousands of migrant labourers have tried to walk home to their villages and some are held up at various state borders.

The Covid-19 crisis has not only affected the daily waged labours, but also many business people are experiencing severe economic difficulties. Covid-19 has currently stalled the employment career, businesses all over the world whereby people are becoming unemployed. Factories, small industries, production, construction and operations have come to a standstill. While new jobs are struck in the lockdown, there is an ongoing livelihood crisis of crores of employees due to the shutdown of industries.

Since the Covid-19 virus spreads easily to the weak and daily labourers on account of their poor health and immunity system, Governments world-wide should take new steps to preserve and promote the health of labourers considering their plight and the poverty they endure. It is also attractive to provide large-scale unemployment allowance for helping the migrant workers through the COVID crisis.  The thought that goes in our mind is: how long will we have to wait for getting vaccine against the Covid 19 virus?

Labourers, all over the world, don’t lose hope! You will overcome the current Covid-crisis and you will eat the fruit of your labour. You are true heroes of every nation and the ladder through which economy of every nation climbs up. Certainly, blessings and prosperity will always be yours!! Stay 

COVID-19:Panic grips Malayalees in Gulf

P C  THOMAS

The fast spread of COVID-19 in the Gulf countries has become a major cause of concern in Kerala, which has a large section of its population working there, a lot of them are ordinary workers and labourers. It's been more than half a century since the Malayalee Diaspora working in the Gulf countries. A Malayalee who sweats in the sand for home and country has a defining role in the economic growth of Kerala.

The role of the Gulf Malayalee in the state's economic development cannot be overstated. As per estimate, more than 30 lakh people from Kerala are working in the Gulf countries. Also, there are millions of Malayalees in other countries of Asia, Europe, the US and Africa.

According to a rough estimate, the overseas Malayalees send a total of Rs 1.5 lakh crore to Kerala every year. It is estimated that the remittances of the Gulf Malayalees play a vital role in keeping the Human Development Index (HDI) of Kerala on par with the developed nations. Would the remittances from the Gulf to Kerala continue to flow as usual? 

With the spread of COVID 19 in the UAE and other Gulf countries, the Indian community is in a state of panic. Thousands lost their jobs. Thousands are on unpaid leave. In this situation it is desirable for them to return home than languishing there with anxiety and uncertainty. Therefore it is necessary to bring them back.

Many Malayalees in the Gulf need immediate help. There are many who worry about having to pay rent and buy food. It is absolutely necessary that special schemes are to be prepared for rehabilitation of those who have lost their jobs. The need of the hour is to reach out to our people who toil in foreign countries to develop our country!    

"ഇത് കുരിശല്ല, എന്റെ.....ആണ് "..

SHERLY MATHEW, INDORE

19 വയസ്സുള്ള പോളിയോ ബാധിച്ച മൂത്ത മകനെയും എടുത്തു കൊണ്ട് ദിവസവും രാവിലെ 6.30ക്ക് വി. കുർബാനക്ക് പള്ളിയിൽ പോകുന്ന ചേട്ടനെ കണ്ട ഒരാൾ:, "വലിയ കുരിശ് ആണല്ലേ?". "ഏയ്, അല്ല,, ഇതെന്റെ മകനാണ്"....അപ്പന്റെ മറുപടി..

കുടുംബ ജീവിതത്തെ അൾത്താരയാക്കിയ ജീവിതങ്ങൾ... ഇവിടെ വിറകുകൾ അല്ല കത്തിയെരിയുന്നത്, ഹൃദയങ്ങളും പ്രാരാബ്ധങ്ങളുമാണ്.. ഓരോ ദിവസത്തെയും സഹനങ്ങളെ കുരിശുകൾ ആക്കി മാറ്റി അവയെ സന്തോഷപുർവ്വം ചുമക്കുന്നവർ..

ഇങ്ങനെ നാം ആഗ്രഹിച്ചാലും ഇല്ലെങ്കിലും ജീവിതത്തിൽ ധാരാളം വേദനകൾ അഥവാ കുരിശുകൾ നമ്മുടെ തോളിലും നാം ചുമക്കുന്നവരാണ് .. ചിലത് ദൈവം തോളിൽ തരുന്നവ.. ചിലത് ആവശ്യമില്ലാതെ, നമ്മുടെ സ്വാർത്ഥതാല്പര്യങ്ങൾക്കും ഇഷ്ടങ്ങൾക്കുമായി നാം സ്വയം ചുമക്കുന്നവ, മറ്റു ചിലത് മറ്റുള്ളവർ നമ്മുടെ തോളിൽ വച്ചു തരുന്നവ....

തമ്പുരാൻ നമ്മോട് പറഞ്ഞില്ലേ "നിന്റെ കുരിശുമെടുത്തു എന്നെ അനുഗമിക്കുക" എന്ന്.. ദുഖവെള്ളിയാഴ്ച്ച മരക്കുരിശും ചുമന്നു മലകൾ കയറാനല്ല അതുകൊണ്ട് അവിടുന്ന് ഉദേശിച്ചത്‌.. നമ്മുടെ കുടുംബ ജീവിതത്തിലെ കുരിശുകൾ.. അത് ഒരുപക്ഷെ മദ്യപാനിയായ ഭർത്താവോ, മകനോ, അപ്പനോ ആകാം, വഴക്കാളിയും അലപ്പറയുമായ ഭാര്യയാകാം, മരുമകൾ ആകാം, അമ്മായിയമ്മ ആകാം, തന്നിഷ്ടക്കാരും അനുസരണമില്ലാത്തവരും ശാരീരിക വൈകല്യവുമുള്ള മക്കളാകാം, ഇങ്ങനെ പലതുമാകാം.. നെഞ്ചോട് ചേർത്തു പിടിക്കേണ്ട കുരിശുകൾ... പിറുപിറുക്കാതെ സസന്തോഷം വഹിക്കുക.. ദൈവം നമ്മുടെ ജീവിതത്തിൽ ഇടപെടുന്നത് ശൂന്യതയിലൂടെയല്ല, ജീവനുള്ള മനുഷ്യരിലൂടെയാണ്.

മനുഷ്യ ദുഖങ്ങളുടെ സമുച്ചയമാണ് കുരിശ്. മനുഷ്യ ജീവിതത്തിലെ പരുക്കൻ അനുഭവങ്ങൾ തന്നെയാണ് അവന്റെ കുരിശ്. നമ്മുടെ ഇഷ്ടങ്ങൾക്കു കുറുകെ നിൽക്കുന്ന മറ്റുള്ളവരുടെ ഇഷ്ടങ്ങളാണ് കുരിശായി മാറുന്നത്. പലപ്പോഴും നാം ചോദിക്കാറുണ്ട് "എന്തു കൊണ്ട് എനിക്കിത്"?. അതിന്റെ മറുപടിയാണ് ഈ ദുഃഖ വെള്ളി. കർത്താവും ചോദിച്ചു, "പിതാവേ എന്തുകൊണ്ട് നീ എന്നെ കൈവെടിഞ്ഞു ". പിതാവ് ഒരക്ഷരം മിണ്ടിയില്ല.. നിശ്ശബ്ദനായിരുന്നു.. കാരണം ലോകരക്ഷയ്ക്കായി അത് അനിവാര്യമായിരുന്നു. ജീവിതത്തിൽ സഹനങ്ങൾ, വേദനകൾ വരുമ്പോൾ തളരരുത്... നമ്മുടെ, അഥവാ നമ്മിലൂടെ മറ്റു ചിലരുടെ മാനസിക ആത്മീയ ഉയിർപ്പിനായി, ഉണർവ്വിനായി, വിശുദ്ധീകരണത്തിനായി ഇവയൊക്കെ അനിവാര്യമാണ്.. ദുഃഖവെള്ളി എന്നത് സത്യത്തിൽ ദുഃഖത്തിന്റെ ദിവസമല്ല, അത് നന്മയുടെ ദിവസമാണ്.. രക്ഷയുടെ ദിവസമാണ്...

വേർപാടിന്റെ പൊരുൾ എന്തെന്ന് ആഴമായി നാം അന്വേഷിച്ചു തുടങ്ങുന്നത് അത്രയ്ക്ക് പ്രിയപ്പെട്ടൊരാൾ നമ്മെ വിട്ടകലുമ്പോഴാണ്. ക്രിസ്തുവിന്റെ മരണത്തിനു ശേഷമാണ് അവന്റെ ശ്വാസമായി നടന്ന ശിഷ്യന്മാർ പോലും അവൻ ആരായിരുന്നു എന്നറിഞ്ഞത്..

മറ്റുള്ളവരുടെ വേദനകൾ ഏറ്റെടുത്ത ഒരു ഗുരുവിനെ അനുയായികളാണ് നമ്മൾ.. ക്രിസ്തു കുരിശിലുടെ സ്നേഹിച്ചതുപോലെ നമ്മുക്കും സ്നേഹിക്കാം, അവൻ വേദന സഹിച്ച് ക്ഷമിച്ചതുപോലെ നമ്മുക്കും ക്ഷമിക്കാം... ഈ ദുഃഖ വെള്ളിയും കടന്നുപോകും.. വലിയൊരു ഉയിർപ്പിന്റെ രക്ഷ നമ്മെ കാത്തിരിക്കുന്നു. എല്ലാവർക്കും ഈ പുണ്യവെള്ളിയുടെയും വിശുദ്ധ ശനിയുടെയും ആശംസകൾ പ്രത്യാശ പുർവ്വം നേരുന്നു... സസ്നേഹം ഷേർലി മാത്യു... (10.04.2020)

Good Friday: The Human Hope for A Better World

P C  THOMAS

Since the title itself is self-explanatory, let me come straight to the point. Now we are in the ‘CORONA Era’ where the world is facing one of the greatest challenges the human history has ever faced.  If we study history, we can see many epidemics ravaged humanity throughout its existence. And in 2020, the COVID-19 malady is spreading across the Globe geometrically. No society is spared whether national or regional or local.

The Latin word 'Corona' means crown. It is said that the name is derived from the fact that these viruses can be seen like a crown through electron microscope. However, these corona situations made many crowns in the human life and taught him many lessons.

In the modern world, many have doubted whether power is great or money is, but we have learnt now that these are not at all great compared to this contaminating virus. We have now seen radical changes taken place in the world due to corona virus and its devastating effects.

Cities and streets are silent, marriage, festivals and meetings are postponed. Churches, temples, mosque, pilgrim centers, tourist attractions, theaters, fitness centers, night clubs, beauty parlors saloons are shut until further notice.  Airports are seen empty; voyage is prohibited. Crimes and killings seem to have declined. Work of mercy has increased in the world. There is less accidents, less pollution in the world, everyone in the world ate his/her own meals, and there is ample time for those who hardly found time for family and relatives. For the Christian faithful, their Good Friday, Easter are in their personal prayer at home.

In the midst of this, nations are proud of medical help of the human fraternity at large. Big salute to Police force, doctors, nurses and helping hands who are extending their noble work without break or rest in spite of the crisis and risk involved in their own lives. Police personnel have been working tirelessly for protecting and helping people worldwide and we do not have sufficient words to express our gratitude.  

During the Good Friday and Easter prayers inside home, let us specially pay tributes for the front-line workers such as doctors, nurses, hospital staff, police force and social workers who are helping to keep society going amid the crisis. Let us pray to the Almighty God to eradicate the malady from the world. Let us hope for a resurrection to the world. 

The Power of Coronavirus And Its Terrible Threats on Humanity

Shijumon Thottupurathu

While the COVID-19, in the name of Coronavirus is making its world tour, we are called to keep away or to isolate ourselves from their visits!

Those who have welcomed them by shaking hands, with hugs and particularly with unhygienic approach, have felt how powerful the coronavirus is! As a result of their world-tour, we have a very special, historical and critical year!

We know that the world is passing through a traumatic moment with a very serious health problems, economic crisis and psychological imbalance. Fear has taken control of many who trusted in themselves, their materials or possessions and in their powers. The normal life of everyone is affected everywhere.

Biblically after the flood at the time of Noah, coronavirus could be the worst affected to the entire world, even the World Wars were limited among the countries. The tsunamis, floods, droughts, fires, various epidemics, etc., were limited to some places and the rest of the life went on normal. But this pandemic gave us the famous saying: STAY AT HOME.

This is difficult but is not a lost because it is an opportunity to strengthen the bond of family life to help one another in the family tasks. Likewise, together in the family to call upon the God you worship, to open the eyes to see that we need each other.

The coronavirus didn’t come selecting people with white, brown or dark skin.... The coronavirus didn’t separate the rich, the poor and the powerful..... The coronavirus doesn’t search for the beast and the beauty or for the appearance......

The coronavirus is not partial to any particular type of religion or political parties.... The coronavirus needs no passport and visa – it has a free entry to everywhere..... The coronavirus has no language of its own, but it can communicate to anyone!!

This pandemic has taught us who we are WITHOUT GOD. It doesn’t matter which God we wordship. If we have Faith in God and if we live up to the teachings of our God, then we know that we all are EQUALS. We are just brothers and sisters to one another.

Realizing the powerful hand of God and His presence in this world, let’s not fight for: -money, materials or arms; race, creed or language; powers, pleasures or drugs, etc.  Rather, let’s grow spiritually by doing what is right and just each day. Let’s help others to grow joyfully. 

Let’s not be worried because Our God will take care of us; not the technology, nor the medicines: Our God is our PROTECTOR. 

Author Profile: Shijumon Thottupurathu is born and brought up in Kerala, India. After his high school study, he responded the call of God for the priestly life. He did his Salesian Seminary formation at Kolkata & Darjeeling (West Bengal) and Tura & Shillong (Meghalaya). Having been made his first profession as a Salesian Religious on 24 May 1998 he was ordained a priest on 27 December 2007. He has worked in the province of Kolkata for almost 4 years as a priest; at the faculty of Computer Science at Salesian College Sonada, Darjeeling, and at the same time as an Assistant Pastor at St. Theresa Parish, Sonada. Then he was appointed at St. Albert's Home at Monshada (West Bengal).

Since October 2011, he served in the Salesian Province of Central America & Panama (CAM), as a missionary. The Province consists of six countries - Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica & Panama. He worked at San Benito, Peten, Guatemala for three years. 

In 2016-2018, he rendered his service at Nuevo Laredo & Tijuana in Mexico, working especially for the teenage migrants. Since 2019, he serves at the formation house at Guatemala City.

About Time Media of Martin Joseph

Thinking of innovative ways and passion to reflect out of the box, one of Kerala’s leading independent channels, the TIME_MEDIA of Martin Joseph Kurisummottil focuses on challenging issues to rejuvenate intellectual energies with sustainable development goals. 

This platform on YouTube Channel meticulously covers the development and stunning scenarios across Kerala to stir up and enhance intellectual reflexes and competencies to a great extent.

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