Meet the Collective: Srikanth, tailor

Describe a typical day
I’ve been working here for three years now. I start my day by oiling and cleaning the machine, ensuring it’s working properly, and then I start working. Today I’m making a pair of trousers.
What were you doing before you worked at Oshadi?
I’ve been working since 1999, since the age of 17 or 18. For 14 years I was working in Delhi, then Calcutta. When Covid hit, the factories all closed down so there was no work so I came back to my village, Narayenpur in Odisha state, south India. I found out about Oshadi through a friend and came to work here.
How did you learn your craft of tailoring?
When I was 17 or 18 financial conditions at home were not good so I started training with a local tailor, learning how to stitch. In the cities, wages are very low, people all working in a line, the hours are brutal - 10-13 hours a day, there is no limit to the hours. I had no fixed date when I would be paid and the salary was low. I didn’t know when I would be paid. Here, I get paid the same day each month/day. And the pay is good. Every six months I go home.

Was anyone in your family a tailor?
Nobody, I’m the only one. My family was in agriculture, farming. When I started working in tailoring, I liked the work and wanted to learn more.
Do you feel job satisfaction here?
I'm pretty fulfilled, I’m earning good money, I can support my family and my children’s education. My daughter wants to work for the government so I’m happy I can support them. I have four daughters, the oldest is 19.
Do you worry about your children?
It is my job to support and give them a good education but after that, what happens will happen. It's up to them. My daughter is going to graduate and then will be an IPS officer working in high government or a professor in a college.
Do you worry about the pollution in the air and water?
When we get sick we think about the pollution, otherwise it is what it is. First health, then work.
What’s in your lunch box?
Rice, lentils, cauliflower. Beans and carrots, lots of things.