Migrant labour governance - Challenges
Migrant labour governance is facing organising trouble, broadly conceived as unity trouble.
Unity trouble refers to the absence of a disaggregated assessment of the work and life situations of the migrant labour population.
Current policies lack a comprehensive vision compared to the Interstate Migrant Workmen Act, 1979.
Wage-related issues.
Unhygienic living and working conditions and a lack of social security.
Physical abuse, as well as verbal and symbolic violences.
The health of workers are constantly at risk due to exposure to hazardous substances and also by diseases and frequent accidents in their workplaces.
A network of wage exploitation activities involving influential members of the migrant labour communities aiding and abetting wage exploitation and theft, which is similar to the infamous colonial indenture labour practices.
Way forward
A shift from the usual numerical data collection approach to a thematic method to develop a panchayat-wise operatable/functional data bank of migrant workers.
It is necessary to ensure, that government decisions regarding the health, employment, cultural life, and social situation of migrant workers are firmly grounded in rights-based principles.
Mechanisms must be established in collaboration with the origin State of labourers to enhance access to justice for migrant workers.
There must be promotion of awareness among migrants about their rights and the available legal remedies.
Set up initiatives similar to global efforts to promote cultural exchange, community engagement, fostering mutual understanding etc. to implement inclusive policies for social integration of migrant workers into the local community.
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