Migrant Workers

Context

An article highlights the issues faced by a migrant couple from Uttar Pradesh, emphasizing the broader challenges and legislative landscape surrounding migrant workers.

Inter-State Migrant Workmen Act, 1979:

• Purpose: Focuses on the welfare of migrant workers by mandating:
  • Establishments employing migrant workers to register with the destination states.
  • Contractors to obtain licenses from both home and host states.
• Current Status: The Act has not been fully implemented in practice and has been subsumed into new labor codes.

Challenges Faced by Migrant Workers

• Access to Welfare Schemes: Migrant workers often struggle to access these due to their transient nature.
• Employment Conditions: They frequently receive meager wages and face adverse working conditions.
• Cultural and Language Barriers: Adapting to a new culture and overcoming language barriers can be difficult.
• Living Conditions: Often inadequate, impacting their overall well-being.
• Informal Sector Employment: Many migrants work in the informal sector, making them vulnerable to economic exploitation.
• Political Rights: They are often unable to exercise political rights, such as voting.
• Community Integration: They face challenges integrating into new communities and are often treated as second-class citizens.

Government Initiatives

• One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC): Allows Public Distribution System (PDS) beneficiaries to access food entitlements from any ration shop within their state or union territory.
• eShram Portal (2021): The first national database for unorganized workers, including migrants.
• Affordable Rental Housing Complexes (ARHC): Provides affordable and secure rental housing options for migrant workers near their workplaces.
• PM Garib Kalyan Yojana: Offers financial and food security to low-income families and marginalized communities.
• Kerala Facilitation Centres: Assist “guest workers” (migrant workers).
• Skill Mapping in Maharashtra: Compiles a database of migrant workers to better address their skills and needs.
• Bihar State Migrant Labour Accident Grants Scheme Rules, 2008: Includes amendments made during COVID-19 to support migrant workers in case of accidents.

Way Forward

• Comprehensive Policy Development: Develop a thorough inter-state migration protection and welfare policy similar to Australia’s Migrant Worker Protection framework.
• Specific Issue Addressal: Address migrant worker issues specifically within the Samadhan Portal.
• Safe Working Conditions: Create a policy to ensure safe working conditions and meet SDG-8 targets.
• Social Security Benefits: Ensure workers have access to social security benefits, beyond just registry enrollment.
• Government Collaboration: The central government must collaborate with states, akin to the EU Social Security Coordination.