The residents situated near the areas affected by recent violence in Gurgaon have experienced a concerning situation. These societies have observed that their housekeeping staff and domestic helpers are no longer coming to work because of the chaos that was created by the mobs in the city on Tuesday.
The security situation and tension have caused apprehension among these workers, leading them to avoid reporting to their workplaces for their safety. Most of the domestic staffers in Gurgaon were originally from West Bengal and they have made the choice to either remain confined to their slum dwellings or have decided to leave for their hometowns along with their families. The ongoing safety concerns and uncertainties have led them to take these precautionary measures for their well-being.
Rajat Srivastava, a resident of Astaire Society in Sector 70 reported on Wednesday that, “Approximately 70 domestic workers who used to work in the society have stopped coming to work. Nearly 20-25 housekeeping staff deployed by the builder have not been present for the past 3 days. Around 450 families in the apartment complex houses and a significant portion of them heavily relies on domestic staffers for cleaning and cooking tasks”. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing situation and the absence of domestic workers and sanitation staff, the society’s daily maintenance has been greatly affected. ‘Garbage management has become a major concern, prompting residents to make alternative arrangements’, he said.
Some domestic workers have chosen not to leave despite risks that are associated with the current situation, as they are concerned about their safety in uncertain times. One domestic help shared that “she is unable to collect her month’s salary and feels trapped inside. There is a lack of funds preventing her from returning to her village”, she said.
In response to the recent surge of communal attacks, societies in the affected area have taken significant steps to enhance security measures. The RWA president of Ansal Esencia in Sector 67 Dharmender Tower, stated that, “they have strengthened the township’s security by appointing more personnel. The movement of outsiders is being closely monitored and strict measures are taken to prevent unauthorised individuals or delivery executives from entering the apartment complex after a certain time”, he said.
