Srinagar, May 1: While the world commemorates Labour Day with parades and celebrations, Zahoor Ahmad Mir, a pashmina artisan in Kashmir, toils away in silence, unaware of the day’s significance. His hands, skilled in crafting exquisite shawls, move tirelessly, weaving threads of luxury that will fetch hefty sums in international markets. Yet, Mir’s wages remain meagre, a mere fraction of the value his craftsmanship commands.
“I won’t earn more than Rs 400 a day, even if I work continuously for 8 to 10 hours non-stop,” laments Mir, his voice tinged with resignation. “Such is the condition of artisans in Kashmir.”
In Kashmir, artisans like Mir and Ahmad are caught in a web of exploitation spun by wealthy middlemen who reap the profits of their labour. Handicrafts, once symbols of Kashmir’s rich cultural heritage, are now commodities traded at throwaway prices in distant markets, while the artisans themselves grow poorer with each passing day.
As Kashmir’s artisans continue to labour in silence, their voices drowned out by the cacophony of a globalized world, it is imperative for stakeholders to heed their call for justice and build a mechanism that safeguards their dignity and secures their livelihoods. Only then can Labour Day truly be a celebration of the resilience and strength of workers everywhere.
