TITTLE- THE DESPERATE HOPE FOR MIGRANTS

In the production sector, the labour force is more exposed to health hazards including fatal diseases
along with low literacy rate, low level of nutrition and development. The ILO estimates that some 2.3
million women and men around the world succumb to work related accidents and diseases every
year. This corresponds to over 6000 deaths every single day. Worldwide there are around 340
million victims of work-related illness annually. This pandemic has worsened their economic and
health conditions further. Many migrant workers are stranded at distant places having no source of
income and savings left.

The internal migrant workers of India received a severe jolt with the phase wise extending lockdown
with consequent relaxations with no source of income left for the migrants and unorganized
laborers. What is even more desperate that many migrants were assumed to be the chief carriers of
this contagion at a time when they needed the utmost care and attention. Most of the labourers
stay in congested spaces sustaining life with lower nutrition compared to others. But as the
contagion demands everyone to maintain a minimum distance (Physical distancing) because each
one reach one; it is quite impossible to keep them away from the menace of being infected with the
contagion. In the first version of lockdown when the BJP supremo encouraged the people to
motivate the doctors and other Corona warriors by lighting diyas and banging utensils many activists
condemned the act by saying that this act was the prerogative of the 'Balcony Class'. When the govt
declared that the workers must get recession in paying their dues and rents and must be ensured of
having two meals a day, it was hardly viable anywhere. Several workers came down to the streets
showing demonstration to be in the limelight and urged the administration to fulfill their needs. The
scene was acute in Gujarat, particularly at Surat where most of the workers are migrants working at
cotton factories. Anyway, when their plight was visible they were deserted at the lurch. Many
stranded workers staring at the menace of being susceptible to the virus and starvation resorted to
walking and peddling to reach their home. It is estimated that more than 300 migrant workers were
killed on the way while returning home in road accidents. The scene of Aurangabad train accident
was even more dismal. The scene of the outrageous and desperate workers walking and peddling on
roads to reach home reminds the insight of the post partition situation of 1947 wherein millions
were killed on the way while returning home. Again, several activists sought that when the govt of
India resorted to "Vande Bharat mission" to repatriate the stranded nationals at abroad, similarly
the govt must have resorted to solve the internal migrant workers issue with zero casualty. Here
again came the role federalism to deal with the situation. Several states were in limbo to deal with
this insurmountable situation. The perfect coordination between the states and the centre brought
the repatriation of the migrant workers into a success. The contagion demonstrated the vital roles
that the grassroot democracy and the local administrators play. For dealing with the migrant issues
several states hurried up to bring back their emigrated labourers providing compulsory quarantine
for a say 14 days with financial aid. On the otherhand several states resented to bring back their
stranded labourers as they are susceptible to the virus the most. Even some states resorted to
offering financial aid to sustain life where they are stranded. On the otherhand amending the labour
laws added fuel to fire. The cash assistance to the MNREGA workers in the rural areas was fruitful.
But it has nothing to do for the urban poor. The govt provided free rations to all for a three months
period, but it proved futile to sustain life for the urban poor. According to a survey by locals in Delhi
around 50% migrant workers couldn't receive the rations (Source; The Hindu). Though it is
insurmountable to deal with the labour issue currently faced, but if wanted we can ensure zero
casualty with it. Among these labourers the unorganized laborers and street vendors need
immediate attention as they are not covered up under any scheme of the govt. Again, they must be
ensured that they are not retrenched by their employer.
Rashmita Nanda, 28th May 2020