Racism and Labour
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The imperial and trade projects of Britain played a crucial role in bringing racialized individuals to the UK. Indian servants were brought over for several reasons, such as a desire to keep loyal servants, a desire to recreate British people's abundant life in India and the need to manage the family's needs during the long boat trip to Britain. For example, the "ayahs", expert nannies, were essential during these trips. They were expected to take complete charge of the children and the belongings of the family. Often, they also became necessary to the household. However, many found themselves dumped after the trip without a proper contract, consideration and legal protection. The mistreatment they suffered, which often led them to live in overcrowded and expensive accommodations while waiting for a new job, is a brutal reminder of the exploitation they faced. Although they were closely involved in the domestic sphere, the racial basis of their employment highlighted the dynamics of British Orientalism. Families travelling to India often chose Indian rather than European servants because of their reliability and ability to "minister to the needs of the family". This preference highlights the influence of imperialism on the dynamics of labour, transforming Indian servants not only into cheap labour but also into exotic symbols. For example, William Hickey brought back a Bengali boy dressed "very smart as a hussar", though he admitted that "as a servant, he was not of the least use to me". This quote underlines the symbolic role played by these servants, more as objects of fascination or pets for British families than as respected workers. Another example of the duality of their status as humans and chattel can be seen in Queen Victoria's relationship with two Indian servants, Mohammed Bux and Abdul Karim. On their arrival at Balmoral, Victoria was described as "as excited about them as a child would be with a new toy", serving as an object of display. They were treated as possessions.
Lascars were a boon to British capitalists because they were a cheap and easily manageable labour force. By "employing" lascars, shipowners could hire three workers for the price of two European sailors. This financial boost increased British shipowners' reliance on lascars (mainly Yemeni and Indian sailors). As Sydney Collins stated, lascars were also seen as "more manageable and amenable" and were prized for their loyalty and sobriety. The colonial racial stereotypes made it hard for these workers, notably because of their perceived docility. Compared to English sailors, lascars were seen as less masculine and self-reliant, reinforcing that they could only perform well under European leadership even if they were competent sailors. These racist beliefs weren't the only ones, and one of the most devastating was the belief that due to their "tropical" origins, lascars could withstand the extreme heat of ship engine rooms better than European sailors. Because of that, lascars were given the most tedious and dangerous jobs and worked in unbearable conditions. These stereotypes ensured their exploitation in inhuman working conditions and made sure they stayed at the bottom of the shipping hierarchy. The treatment of the lascars was frequently gruesome. Ansari highlights the abuse they suffered on ships, where their captains beat many. But the suffering wasn't confined to the boat because when they arrived in the UK in port cities like Cardiff and London, they were often abandoned and forced to live in overcrowded and unsanitary accommodations. The language barrier also served as a suffering instrument. For instance, when lascars fell ill and were unable to communicate their pain, they were forced to endure their suffering.
Finally, the exploitation of Indian servants and lascars under British imperialism highlights the issue of the racial commodification of labour. Both groups faced difficult working conditions, influenced by racial prejudice. Ayahs were valued for their skills and were seen as exotic possessions, whereas lascars were seen as cheap, submissive labour. These workers were often placed in dangerous positions because they were considered inferior. It highlights the racist basis of imperial labour regimes. These stories show how race, class and imperialism interact and result in the systematic exploitation and marginalization of people of colour.