Government schemes change Jaya’s life
Raipur. It can take some time to get used to the clinking sound of heavy machinery. Initially, Jaya found the precision and pace of factory life intimidating. There were rules to remember, steps to follow and hierarchies to respect. At the age of 38, after the sudden death of her husband during the first wave of Covid-19, Jaya was thrust into a role that no one had prepared her for. Jaya’s story is a testament to the far-reaching impact of labour helplines and labour resource centres in empowering women and transforming communities. UNDP’s resources, expertise and support to the Chhattisgarh Labour Department have played a vital role in this area.
When my husband passed away, I felt as if I was engulfed in a suffocating darkness with no way out, Jaya said. Life after her husband’s death was fraught with financial difficulties and the social stigma that often accompanies widowhood in Indian society. Jaya was awash in grief and disbelief. But soon she was confronted with the reality of her husband’s debt. An uncertain financial future lay ahead and Jaya knew she had to enter the workforce to set things right.
A ray of hope came in the form of the CM Shramik Helpline (Mukhyamantri Shramik Sahayata Kendra) set up in Raipur. There, Jaya came to know about the Mukhyamantri Nirman Shramik Mrityu Evam Divyaang Sahayata Yojana, a government scheme that provided financial aid to the family of a deceased labourer. The kindhearted staff members helped Jaya understand the intricacies of the government scheme and assisted her in getting a relief amount of Rs 1,00,000. This amount became her lifeline and helped her repay the debt. “My husband had died suddenly, so this scheme was very helpful. This scheme saved us in the middle of repaying the debt,” she said. The day Jaya became debt-free, her mindset changed. She not only felt relief, but also the determination to move forward. Jaya decided it was time to step out of the confines of her home and get to work.
On her first day at a factory job in a crumbling manufacturing unit, her arms and legs were shaking. The machinery and manufacturing process were intimidating, but Jaya had faced many challenges before. Slowly, with the help of smiling, gentle co-workers, Jaya adapted to her new role.
