The Covid-19 lockdown exacerbated the predicament of India’s internal migrant population, highlighting urgent needs for comprehensive policy changes. In 2020, an estimated 2.6 million migrant laborers were left in limbo across the country during the nationwide lockdown. As their livelihoods were stripped away, leaving them without social security or healthcare and trapped without the option of reaching their hometowns, a staggering 1 million of these workers resorted to making their way home, often by foot along the highways.
Waiting for the eruption of another crisis before implementing essential policies for the protection of the human rights of migrant workers would be a grave mistake. It is crucial that states hosting large migrant worker populations implement a structured framework to fully support these workers, irrespective of their geographical location. A glance at India’s internal migration statistics reveals how important this concern is, with approximately 38% of the country’s total population, or 456 million individuals, identified as internal migrants.
Local migration is primarily driven by factors like the uneven geographical distribution of resources and opportunities, attempts to escape violent conditions, or the necessity to find shelter from severe weather. These migrants often find themselves employed in informal jobs in unorganized industries, which leave them susceptible to exploitation and harassment. Basic needs such as stability in housing, access to social security and health benefits, and necessary emergency relief remain out of their grasp.
Migrant workers in India are also expected to work in potentially harmful conditions with low wages, and are additionally plagued by the insecurity that pervades their workplaces. A crisis often implies a perilous journey to their hometowns for these workers. While there may be a certain degree of fluctuation in the rates of internal migration, the fact remains that internal migration will persist in the foreseeable future.
As a direct consequence of various challenges such as climate change and food and water scarcity, distress migration is anticipated to rise. A model for safe, managed, and regular migration must be formulated, necessitating immediate action from policy makers. A milestone in this journey was achieved by the United Nations General Assembly in 2016, when they drafted the New York Declaration to safeguard the rights of refugees and migrants.
India too, needs to take action by implementing strategies that reduce the uncertainty faced by its domestic migrant population, thereby enhancing their access to remedial measures provided by relevant labor laws and government support schemes. Positive steps in this direction were taken in 2020, when a unique arrangement was isolated for migrants who made the brave journey home on foot. This initiative, supported by several civil society groups, gradually evolved into a dedicated team in charge a helpdesk operation.
Lessons learned from this setup were incorporated into the establishment of the Safe and Responsible Migration Initiative (SRMI) in December 2021. The SRMI has shed light upon successful strategies and best practices that could potentially revolutionize how India supports and champions the rights of its migrant workers.
In its nascent stages during the pandemic, the dedicated helpline for stranded migrant workers was overwhelmed by multiple distress calls. One of the most significant advantages of the helpline is that it provides streamlined, single-window access to redressal mechanisms for the migrant community. It has been instrumental in assisting worker issues related to compensation claims, wage grievances, and operations involving the rescue of bonded or child laborers and missing individuals.
Comprehensive data on internal migrants is currently lacking. To address this gap, a software was utilized at the call center in 2020 to record information about all callers. Subsequently collating data about both the source regions and destinations of laborers offers us an opportunity to create better support systems.
Our findings revealed that a small fraction of the migrant workers, approximately 20-25%, were registered with the government. This shortfall impairs their ability to access remedial processes, benefits, and government schemes. Furthermore, it mars their hopes of timely rescue during emergencies. Non-awareness of existing schemes and inability to afford premiums are two key reasons for this shortfall.
Boosting awareness about the importance of registration amongst migrant workers involves continued community involvement. Key stakeholders such as communities, local governing bodies, and traditional village leaders can stimulate conversations centered around the idea of safe and responsible migration.
Rendering migration in India safe and responsible hinges upon a productive synergy between government and civil society organizations given the complexities involved. Vital roles can be played by local governments in the information dissemination process, as well as data collection. Establishing inter-state partnerships can also institutionalize social protection safeguards for migrant workers.
States that bear the burden of a large migrant population could consider setting up dedicated committees to design welfare schemes tailored to migrant needs. The journey ahead is certain to be a challenging one, necessitating concerted efforts from all stakeholders towards achieving a common goal. Only through sustained cooperation at scale can we truly uplift the migrant workers’ experience and expand their support systems.