A demonstration was organized yesterday by about 50 Chin refugees in front of Don Bosco Ashalayam, a UNHCR implementing partner, in Vikaspuri. The protesters work with the Income Generation Activities (IGA) sub-office of Don Bosco in New Delhi.
“Some refugees are suffering health problems or are disabled, and work in IGA under the Don Bosco office with help from UNHCR. Before, they worked an 8am to 8pm workday and earned Rs. 30 per hour. But now, their working hours reduced to 9am to 5:30pm, but the wages have come down to Rs. 20 per hour,” said worker Salai Tlaung Za Thang.
Observes allege that despite the volume of work remaining the same, the office has tried to bring down hourly wages, leaving skilled workers to earn only Rs. 70 a day and unskilled workers to earn Rs. 35.
“We don’t want appointment of workers through NGOs under UNHCR. We want direct contact between workers and UNHCR officials. That’s the reason we are demonstrating,” said Salai Thang.
There are more than 10,000 refugees in New Delhi. Currently, 150 Chin refugees work at IGA, Don Bosco.
Chin refugees previously demonstrated against the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) to protest unjust treatment of Chin people, at which point the UNHCR discontinued their relationship with the YMCA and handed over charge of refugee affairs to Don Bosco in March 2012.
