NHRC study recommends inter-state migration council

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, April 21

A study authorised by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on “Social security and health rights of migrant workers in India” has recommended to the Centre to set up an interstate migration council to coordinate between the union and state governments.

Besides, it pitched for creation of a national migrant information system. The study was undertaken in two districts, each of Haryana, Delhi, Gujarat and Maharashtra.

The total sample size was 4,400. Of these, 1,600 were interstate migrant workers, 800 local workers, 400 employers, 800 government officials and 800 scholars and NGO representatives.

The study through its seven objectives, including examining the discrimination and impediments faced by the workers in accessing social security and health rights, recommended to the Centre and state governments for remedial actions.

Besides, the objective was to analyse laws and policies at the Centre and state levels with respect to the workers’ social security and health rights.

Documenting the enabling factors and best practices in providing social security and health rights to workers was study’s other goal. It batted for awareness generation about schemes and facilities among interstate migrant workers.

Instituting 24×7 national and state-level grievance redressal helpline and creation of quota for them with regard to MGNREGA are among the other recommendations.

It expressed the need to enhance access to National Social Assistance Programme for these workers and fast tracking the implementation of “One Nation One Ration Card”.

Other key suggestions

• Awareness generation about schemes and facilities among interstate migrant workers
• 24×7 national and state-level grievance redressal helpline
• Creation of quota for migrant workers
• Enhance access to National Social Assistance Programme for migrant workers
• Fast track implementation of ‘One Nation One Ration Card’
• Compulsory registration of migrant workers with labour departments