Kolis as lifeguards

We are not even a fortnight into monsoon and the city of Mumbai has been inundated with heavy showers and flooding in almost all low lying areas, not once or twice but thrice already. During rains, the demand for life guards also goes up to keep a vigil on the rough seas. And who could be better qualified for this job than the first citizens of the city, the fisherfolks or the kolis. They are usually less busy in their own profession during rains and this could be the best moonlighting opportunity.

The Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been recruiting kolis and last year, roped in 25 as lifeguards. But this yea, it has managed to appoint only 6. Kolis have decided to give this job a skip this season citing poor pay and long working hours. BMC pays them Rs,.8000 per month on a contractual basis and they work almost 12 hours.

There are already about 49 lifeguards deployed by the BMC at all six beaches of the city and with the monsoon at its peak the fire brigade has also stepped in to ensure there are no drowning cases. 18 days of high tide are expected to be especially tricky and the fire brigade has requested the BMC to hike the pay to hire kolis at Rs10,000/month. The BMC might have to relent given the shortage of lifeguards.  So for some koli’s this monsoon, it will rain more money than last year!