BLAZING SUN NO BAR IN BUILDING A LIVELIHOOD

This May Day, TNIE launches a series to examine the conditions in which labourers toil under the hot sun to earn their daily bread. In the first part, we look at the lives of construction workers

THE construction sector, one of the key drivers of India's growth, is estimated to account for more than 10% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The sector is driven not just by investments, but by the workforce that exceeds 7 crore.

On Tuesday, K Sekar was at work at a construction site in Thingalur in Erode that has the highest temperature in the state this summer. In an attempt to escape the heat, he wrapped his head with a towel that gets dried up pretty quick. He, however, said skipping work is no option, as it will affect his daily wages.

He acknowledged that the workers get exhausted sooner because of the heat. "We bring lemon juice and buttermilk from home and keep consuming them often, besides water, to keep our energy high," he said.

68-year-old mason R Ravi dreams of spending a peaceful time at his home near the mangroves-filled Pichavaram in Cuddalore district. However, he rarely gets an opportunity to visit his native.

He has been working as a construction worker since he was 18.