Memoirs of a Foreigner compares poverty in India and the U.S.,- does poverty of the many translate into luxuries for a few in India?

But how much are we helping the poor by employing them? We pay 2rps per piece of clothing ironed, 5-8rps per rickshaw ride, 70rps per massage and less than 700rps per week to have the house cleaned (about 40 rupees = 1 $). Of course cost of living is different here than in the U.S., but many of these workers live in slums or only one small step above a slum. My friend told me that when he employs a worker he tries to think about his family and if they would do that amount of work for that pay (he is from a middle class Delhi family). Now I am starting to do the same thing–and lets just say we are giving a few raises!