Agriculture labourers in delta districts battle heatwave as their daily income is hit

Until now, working under hot sun was never an issue with 58-year-old S. Kaliammal, an agriculture labourer from Puthagaram village in Pattavarthi panchayat in Mayiladuthurai district. Apart from issuing general guidelines and advising people not to step out between noon and 3 p.m., the government has not announced any measures to help gig workers and agricultural workers cope with the heatwave. I have to pay instalments every week.” Despite sheer need for money, V. Maruthambal from North Street in Kumarvayalur Panchayat in Tiruchi has decided to work only half for a day fearing health issues. Vayalur N. Rajendran, state treasurer of farmers’ wing of the Tamil Manila Congress, pointed to lack of government intervention and said: “There are many instances where an agricultural worker faints and the farmer who employs takes her to hospital and bears the cost of treatment. The government must intervene at the panchayat level to do something.” Tamil Nadu Agricultural Workers Association State president and Gandharvakkottai MLA M. Chinnadurai, speaking to The Hindu, said: “Across the State we are told agriculture labourers are unable to step on to the field due to heat.