BUKIT MERTAJAM: The novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic is not only taking lives across the globe, it is also snuffing out the livelihood of the healthy as evident in this case.
Contractor G. Asokumar is part of the low-middle income group (B40), who is a daily paid tile layer.
Before, there were months when he could take home up to RM2,000, depending on the number of contract jobs he got.
When the movement control order (MCO) was imposed on March 18, Asokumar found himself suddenly without any income.
He tried searching for part-time work after the MCO was imposed but with most commercial enterprises either shut or partially running, and tile-laying not within the essential services banner, he was left in dire straits.
Adding to his dilemma, was his responsibility towards his family - his wife S. Thangavani who is disabled, and their four children, aged between one and six.
Having seen the number of people queuing up for food, he thought he could make ends meet by becoming a fisherman.
The 34-year-old who lives behind the Hindu temple along Jalam Murtry in Bukit Mertajam began to net fish at a monsoon drain in Kampung Rawa, near here.
Since two weeks ago, a good day fetched him about RM100 from the small tilapia fish he managed to catch using nets. On bad days, he’d go home empty handed. The dry weather has not helped either.
While his is a story that many are facing now with the MCO, enforced to curb spread of Covid-19, state executive councillor Phee Boon Poh said that Penang has provisions for Asokumar and others in similar situations.
Penang adopts a caring society concept said Phee. He bought to attention the 80 beggars whom authorities rounded up recently, who were placed at the state’s caring society complex here.
“We practice social distancing and provide them food and shelter indoors with the help of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Buddhist Tzu Chi branch in Penang.”
Phee said that those in need can contact their respective elected representatives and welfare authorities for aid during these trying times.
