The abundance of labour in the market affected the lives of workers. Thousands tramped to cities for work. Many job-seekers had to wait weeks, spending nights in open sky or under bridges or in night shelters. Seasonality of work in many industries meant prolonged periods without work. After the busy season was over, the poor were in the streets again hardly eating enough. The workers’ wages increased but so did the prices enabling lesser purchase of goods. Most of the workers were irregularly and seasonally employed pushing them to the brink of starvation and disease.