Special labour cell to address migration woes

At last govt could recognise that about 2million people are migrating from Odisha.We have long been demanding to at least to asses the reality.There is a need to have a Migration Cell,but it should be equipped with adequate number of staff, updating the database and monitoring the trends.

Earlier govt. had deployed two officials in Mumbai and Gujrat region to but subsequently they have been withdrawn.Mere tabbing Contractors will not serve the purpose,govt need to do more in terms of Seasonal and Regular migrants.
One of the main demand of all of us is to register all migrants and issue them with Identy Cards.The registration could be done in every Panchayat offices or Block offices even at Village levels by Ward Members.

They face twin dangers both in places of origin and destination.It is almost a double whammy for them.
Setting up a Migration Cell with new task will definitely a step forward but what about the already defunct cell in Labour Commissioner office?


Govt. should come out with a detailed plan to tackle the menance of Migration,unless setting up a Cell shall be of no use.


Sudarshan Chhotray
PRAVASI SRAMIKA SURAKHY MANCH
C/O:FOCUS ORISSA
BHUBANESWAR
09337111879


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Special labour cell to address migration woes

Express News Service
First Published : 05 May 2011 03:48:01 AM IST
Last Updated : 05 May 2011 12:33:41 PM IST

BHUBANESWAR: With incidents of atrocities against migrant labourers on the rise, the Labour and Employment Department is contemplating to set up a special labour cell to monitor inter-state migration. Every year, lakhs of people migrate to other states in search of livelihood.

The proposed cell would ensure proper implementation of labour laws, apart from looking into illegal migration of workers from interior pockets of districts through periodical inspections.

The cell would also keep a tab on contractors and agents who facilitate migration and check unfair labour practices within the State. State Labour Commissioner Alekh Chandra Padhiary said an assistant labour commissioner would head the cell with the support of district labour and assistant labour officers.

As a part of the project, a centralised database of inter-state migrants and names of contractors would be created at the labour commissioner office. “A detailed report on number of people migrating to other states will be prepared and reviewed on a monthly basis,” said Padhiary.

Padhiary said the main objective behind the initiative is to bring unregistered labourer migrants under the purview of the department. Being largely illegal, labour migration remains an unaccounted activity. So it becomes next to impossible to ensure minimum wages or labour rights for a migrant. In case of accident, sickness or death, there is virtually no way to ensure compensation. “Of an approximate 18 lakh labourers, who migrate annually from the State, only 50,000 labourers register themselves with the labour offices,” the Labour Commissioner said.

He added that apart from this, a proposal has been sent to the Centre for setting up labour facility centres in every district.