"Humans" or "Chattels"

[rameen_ali]

To some extent, they were considered human when they were more useful to them. They promised to take care of them, however, as soon as they did not need them they took no responsibility for them and left them with nothing. Afterwards, they were racially discriminated and to most extent, they were considered "chattel".

According to Visram, when their services were no longer needed in England, ayahs faced uncertainty and destitution, often being discharged without support or means to return to India. Many experienced isolation, and uncertainty and struggled to find new employment with inadequate support. This resulted in a prolonged waiting period for re-engagement or a return passage home.
As stated by Visram and Seddon, they were frequently exploited and had limited resources. This led to a precarious existence while searching for re-engagement or new employment. While looking for employment, they typically lived in unsanitary, overcrowded and expensive lodging houses, where conditions were squalid and exploitative.
It was also difficult for them to find employment due to the language barrier most of them were unable to speak English. Once they were desperate to survive they were left with no choice but to become beggars and homeless.

Additionally, due to racial discrimination, most of them were wrongfully blamed for crimes they did not commit. As mentioned by Seddon, lascars faced appalling conditions in British jails, with many suffering from neglect and mistreatment. Out of eight cases encountered, only one lascar survived imprisonment, while five died before completing their sentences, and others faced severe mental health issues. The overall environment was brutal, contributing to high mortality rates among lascars during their incarceration.