Kolkata, May 29: The plight of wage labourers in India has long been a pressing issue, and the COVID-19 pandemic has further highlighted their struggles. These migrants often migrate to cities in search of better job opportunities and higher wages, but they are faced with poor living conditions, lack of social security, and limited bargaining power.
Recognizing the powerlessness of migrant labourers, the West Bengal government has taken a significant step by introducing an initiative aimed at providing relief and support to this vulnerable group.
Supervised by the recently-constituted West Bengal Migrant Workers’ Welfare Board, the initiative offers a range of amenities and financial assistance to the families of migrant workers in case of any tragedy. To ensure accessibility, regional offices will be opened in Maharashtra, Delhi, and Kerala, which are major destinations for migrants from Bengal.
Round-the-clock assistance centers will also be established to provide immediate support and guidance. Additionally, the government plans to introduce a portal where migrant workers can register their names, allowing for better enumeration and data collection.
This aligns with the central government’s long-term plan of creating a national database for migrants, although progress on this front has been limited to the rudimentary e-Shram portal.
However, the implementation of this initiative is likely to face challenges. As Bengal is not among the wealthiest states in India, ensuring adequate funds for the program’s proper execution will be crucial.
Moreover, Bengal’s workers under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act are still awaiting their dues from the central government due to alleged irregularities. This delay in payments may further increase the rate of migration from Bengal to other states, placing an additional burden on the welfare scheme for migrant labourers.
The ongoing struggles faced by migrant workers highlight a larger issue concerning the shift in focus away from social welfare provisions by the state.
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This trend has been echoed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who has criticized welfare schemes aimed at benefiting the poor as mere “handouts.” Compounding the problem is the uneven economic development across states, with a significant proportion of migrants originating from poorer states such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal.
The pledge of equitable and inclusive development, also emphasized by the Prime Minister, remains elusive, prolonging the arduous journey of migrants seeking better opportunities.
While the West Bengal government’s initiative is a commendable step towards addressing the challenges faced by migrant labourers, it is essential to ensure sufficient resources for its successful implementation.
Moreover, it calls for a broader commitment to prioritize social welfare and pursue equitable development across all states. Only by addressing these underlying issues can meaningful change be achieved, providing migrant labourers with the dignity, security, and opportunities they deserve.
