Kantaben Makwana’s Story
Who: SEWA
What: Scrap worker in Bhavnagar
“I am Kantaben Makwana and I am 68 years old. I have been living in Bhavnagar and associated with SEWA for 10 years. I am a scrap worker who is engaged in breaking of the leftover scrap that I get after ship breaking. There are 8 members in my family. One of my sons is engaged in ship breaking chain where he buys scrap from a trader, both my daughter-in-law are also engaged in scrap-breaking work. I do my work at my home only. I sit outside and break the scrap.
The good quality of scrap is taken by big companies and what we get is the left-over scrap. I break down the tiniest of the material from the scrap, we do not always get profit, there are also times when we experience losses. Our work is risky, and we often get hurt while breaking the scrap.
After becoming member of SEWA, we realise the importance of our health and were also given information how we should take precaution while doing our work. Now I drink water to keep myself hydrated during extreme summers and sit under shed for braking scrap. We have trainings on health and safety where we are informed about what safety measures to be taken.
There was a health camp organised, where team of doctor came from Ahmedabad. Because of breaking scrap, I was experiencing pain in my whole body, but I am not financially strong to get proper health check-up, this health camps were very helpful for me. Initially I was scared by seeing so much equipment, but doctor helped me and made me feel comfortable, they put machines all over my legs and provided physiotherapy after which I felt relaxed, and my pain also got reduced. I was than given medicines which I am taking regularly and was also told what diet I should follow and what should I avoid. There will be follow ups after this check-up to know how much we have recovered and what needs to be done in future.
Our work is such that we experience body pain, so such camps are very useful for us. It is not easy to take treatment even in government hospitals as it is very exhausting and time-consuming process. I am very happy that SEWA has organised this camp so that women like me can get proper treatment.
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