35% suicides in Gujarat were of daily wagers

VADODARA: Maximum suicides in Gujarat during 2019 were committed by daily wagers.
The report of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) on Accidental Deaths and Suicides in India shows that of the total 7,655 suicides in Gujarat, 34.6% (2,649) were that by daily wagers.

Experts believe that the high numbers of suicides among the daily wagers are because of the increasing economic disparities and the lack of social security for them which pushes them to the edge.
“The unorganized sector, not just in our state, but in the entire country is very large and this sector does not have social security or minimum wage guarantee. If a daily earner falls sick, he or she will not be able to earn that day and spending on health will also become a question,” said Jagdish Patel, director of Vadodara-based People’s Training Research Centre.
Patel also blamed the contractual system in industries that do not provide any social securities. “The government keeps supporting the system, so more industries are encouraged to hire people for perennial jobs on contract,” he added.
“Due to economic slowdown the average employment days in a month have reduced to 20 days. While the wage has reduced, their expenses have increased due to changing living habits like not carrying food but eating at small eateries, chewing tobacco, using smartphones among others,” said Dr Jayesh Shah, policy strategist. He suggested counselling centres for daily wagers by Gujarat Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board.
The other largest group of people that took their own lives is that of homemakers. As many as 1,689 homemakers ended their lives in 2019 which also questions the popular belief of home being a safe place.
“There has not been any decline in violence on women over the years,” said Johanna Lokhande of Sahiyar (Stree Sangathan), an organization for women. “The pressure on women as a wife is immense because of the socio-economic condition and other reasons,” Lokhade said.
Suicides among the professional or salaried persons particularly among those getting salary from private sector enterprises is also high (776). On the other hand, among the self-employed persons those having their own businesses (559) committed suicides.