The Mumbai Mazdoor Sabha union leaders are aware how a strike by the pallbearers can affect the bereaved families. On such an important matter the trustees should stand united and face the challenge with a firm resolve. Thanks to the volunteers who offered their services, the crisis was averted ("A masoor dal Navroz," Parsiana, September 7, 2018).
The trustees of the Bombay Parsi Punchayet (BPP) and the community have always been gracious and compassionate to the pallbearers who are serving the community in a special way. They should be assured of better service conditions and higher remuneration than the other class IV workers like sweepers, gardeners and watchmen.
The trustees should hold a meeting with the pallbearers, invite some honorable members of the community whom they trust, sort out their problems and persuade them to disassociate themselves from the union. Once they resign from the union, they will not only earn the goodwill of the community but will be rewarded in more ways. We spend a substantial amount for funerary expenses, we can afford to give some extra amount to each pallbearer as service fees. The community can offer ashodad voluntarily with a big heart, and stand by them in hard times. The pallbearers should trust the community and the BPP trustees to solve their grievances.
PIROJA JOKHI
piroja.jokhi@yahoo.com