Mains Marathon

• In introduction define the term migrant worker and brief about the issue faced by the migrants.
• By arguing for a policy discuss the aims for which policy should be directed.
• Conclude suitably.

Answer:

As per ILO "Migrant for Employment" or Migrant Worker means a person who migrates from one country or place to another with a view to being employed otherwise than on his or her own account.

Migrant workers in India are often exploited, isolated and unaware of their rights. They constitute a large and vulnerable section of the workforce, especially in the informal sector, where they face various challenges such as low wages, poor working conditions, lack of social security, discrimination, and harassment. The Covid-19 pandemic and the subsequent lockdowns have further exposed their plight, as millions of them lost their livelihoods and were forced to return to their native places without adequate support or relief.

There is an urgent need for an inclusive social policy to tackle these issues and ensure the dignity, welfare, and empowerment of migrant workers in India. Such a policy should aim at:

• Protecting the rights of migrant workers: The policy should ensure that migrant workers are covered by the existing labour laws and codes, and that they have access to legal aid and grievance redressal mechanisms. The policy should also implement the Supreme Court’s orders to register all migrant workers, provide them with identity cards, and facilitate their access to welfare schemes and benefits. The policy should also ratify and implement the relevant international conventions (Like ILO Convention Nos. 97 and 143) and standards on migrant workers’ rights.
• Improving the living and working conditions of migrant workers: The policy should ensure that migrant workers have decent work opportunities, fair wages, safe and healthy workplaces, and social protection. The policy should also provide adequate housing, sanitation, health care, education, and other basic amenities for migrant workers and their families. The policy should also prevent and address any forms of exploitation, abuse, or violence against migrant workers.
• Promoting the integration and inclusion of migrant workers: The policy should foster a culture of respect and solidarity among migrant workers and the host communities. The policy should also facilitate the participation and representation of migrant workers in social dialogue, collective bargaining, and decision-making processes. The policy should also support the social and economic empowerment of migrant workers through skill development, financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, and social innovation.
• Enhancing the data and research on migrant workers: The policy should improve the collection, analysis, and dissemination of reliable and disaggregated data on migrant workers’ demographics, mobility patterns, employment status, working conditions, income levels, social protection coverage, and other relevant indicators. The policy should also encourage and support research on the causes, consequences, and impacts of migration on migrant workers and their families, as well as on the origin and destination areas. The policy should also use evidence-based approaches to design, implement, monitor, and evaluate interventions for migrant workers.

Migrant workers must have an inclusive social policy that can safeguard their rights, enhance their well-being, and empower them to contribute to the nation’s progress. Such a policy can also help the country cope with the challenges of shocks and crises and foster social harmony and cohesion. Therefore, it is imperative to design and implement an inclusive social policy for migrant workers in India, with the active involvement and participation of all relevant stakeholders.