Issa Ahmed, 35 years old, spends all daytime hours in front of one of the shops on the main street in the city of Al-Houta, the administrative center of Lahj governorate in southern Yemen, practicing the occupation he has been accustomed to for years, which is the profession of shoe repair and polishing (cobbler).
A thread, a needle, a brush, a shoe polish, a small hammer, nails, a scissor, and some pieces of manufactured leather are all Issa's capital, which he puts in front of him alongside worn-out shoes to indicate his profession to the public. Issa begins his day in search of his family's daily allowance in a menial occupation in society, which has become a lifeline for many marginalized people who spread on the sidewalks of the main street in search of a decent living.
Further, Issa tells “Khuyut” that “the financial return from this job varies from one day to another, and not all days give a good return. Sometimes I earn five thousand riyals per day, sometimes less, sometimes more, and sometimes I come back empty-handed, but this is better for me than begging.”
“However, Nasser says that it is a hard profession and there is no benefit in working in it, in light of the high cost of living and prices and the varying level of work from day to day, as he sometimes remains for about seven days without any income, and at other times, days pass in which he cannot even provide for his daily expenses during his working and movements.”
Issa acquired the occupation from his father, who said that he taught him this occupation in order to rely on himself rather than on others. He added that society's treatment differs from one person to another with workers of this class; some deal kindly with them, while others look at them with contempt and try to belittle their honorable toil.
He explains that they face many difficulties in this occupation in terms of the limited income they find, which sometimes does not meet even the daily requirements of their families. In addition to the scorching sun, dust, wind, and high prices, which destroyed much of the proceeds of their daily work, and that the situation becomes more difficult for those who chew “qat”.
Arduous Job
Some workers in this occupation do not settle in one place and prefer to move between neighborhoods and streets, carrying alarm machines (bells) in their hands to notify residents who want to repair their shoes or bags.
Nasser Ali leaves his house carrying his bag with work tools inside, moving between villages in the areas of Lahj governorate in search of worn-out shoes in order to repair and clean them. Nasser tells “Khuyut” that movement brings him a better financial return than staying on the street from the morning to the evening, and often the financial return when moving is better despite the hardships.
However, Nasser says that the job that he practices is difficult and arduous, and there is no benefit in working in it, in light of the high cost of living and prices and the varying level of work from day to day, as he sometimes remains for about seven days without any income, and at other times, days pass in which he cannot even provide for his daily expenses during his working and movements.
Unlike some people begging, the occupations of porters in the markets, shoe repairers (cobblers), and cleaners are among the most prominent occupations that the marginalized cling to in Lahj governorate in order to provide a living. At a time when members of this group suffer from bullying and discrimination due to their practice of these jobs and their scarce returns.
